Of all the monitors we researched, we found that the Sceptre E248W-19203R 24” is the best gaming monitor under $200. With an excellent response time, ultra-thin bezels, and adaptive sync technology, this gaming display offers unparalleled high-quality visuals. If you like the sound of this monitor, check out our guide to the best computer monitors for more options.
While most PC gamers spend a lot of time choosing a case, and internal parts — like a top-notch graphics card — that won’t matter if it’s not paired with one of the best gaming monitors under $200. There are more expensive options, but you can’t beat the feature to price ratio of the best budget monitors. We spent over 20 hours researching the best monitors, considering specs like image quality, adaptive sync support, and response times. We also reviewed refresh rates, choosing only monitors that offer a rate of 60Hz or above. We believe these features are vital to playing our favorite games in all their vivid, and immersive glory, like the best gaming monitor for CS GO. Keep reading to learn more about the Sceptre monitor, and other high-quality gaming monitors under $200 available for purchase.
10 Best Gaming Monitors Under $200
#1 Sceptre E248W-19203R 24” Ultra Thin 75Hz 1080P LED Gaming Monitor Under $200
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: This monitor has an incredibly thin, metallic chassis and almost bezel-less frame giving it a super sleek and minimal feel. A 75Hz refresh rate, full 1080P HD resolution, and adaptive sync technology round out the feature set.
- Excellent refresh rate
- Adaptive sync enabled
- Super thin bezels
- Slower, 5ms response time
Realistically, with many budget and low-cost options, you’re sacrificing features or specs to bring down the price. That is not the case with this computer monitor, as it offers some excellent support rivaling even the most premium models. It supports full-HD 1080P resolutions, at a 75Hz refresh rate with response times of 5ms. Adaptive sync means it will reduce tearing and stuttering in a graphics card signal, during games. This budget monitor has a contemporary and metallic chassis, along with remarkably thin bezels — giving the LED portion of the display more room to shine.
On the rear are 2 HDMI ports, one of which can be converted to DVI, along with a VGA port, and 3.5mm audio in, and audio-out ports. It’s VESA wall mount ready if you want to install it to a wall. A pair of built-in speakers also adds audio support, if you don’t already have desktop speakers. Alongside being one of, if not the best 1080p monitor, this is also amongst the best ultra wide gaming monitors you can find at this price point.
#2 BenQ GW2480 24” 1080P IPS Gaming Monitor Under $200
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: With its wide viewing angle, adaptive brightness, and proprietary eye-care technology this monitor is easy on the eyes, even during long play sessions.
- Convenient vision protection features
- Edge-to-edge super-slim bezel
- Built-in cable management
- Slow 8ms response times
- Uninspired stand
Rather than offering fast and vivid action, this monitor has several eye-care functions that reduce ocular strain, which tends to occur during long sessions. Proprietary eye-care support offers intelligent and adaptive brightness, low blue-light tech, zero-flicker functionality, and optimized images. Together, these features help to prevent headaches, strain, and stress. As for visuals, this IPS panel type offers good image quality and supports full-HD 1080P resolutions at 60Hz with 8ms response times. If you’re a regular Fortnite gamer, with this gaming monitor Fortnite will look seamless and sharp, enhancing your gaming experience.
Related: Also check out the best HDR gaming monitors.
Additional features include an integrated cable management system, edge-to-edge slim bezel frame, a 178-degree wide viewing angle, and a unique carbon-fiber-like texture. On the rear, you’ll find HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, and 3.5mm audio-in, and audio-out ports. Moreover, it’s VESA wall mount ready.
#3 Asus VG245H 24” Full-HD 1080P Freesync Gaming Monitor Under $200
Award: BEST FOR AMD GRAPHICS CARDS
WHY WE LIKE IT: This monitor features a 75Hz refresh rate — HDMI only — and supports full-HD 1080P resolutions, but offers some of the best adaptive AMD FreeSync options including various game presets.
- Exclusive viewing mode presets
- Fast, 1ms response time
- Ergonomic eye care feature
- 75Hz refresh rate for HDMI only
- Not as bright as other monitors
Designed almost exclusively for use with AMD’s FreeSync adaptive sync technology, this monitor offers unique gaming presets that enhance both overall performance and color accuracy. Color accuracy can also be improved using the color profiles on Window. The result is a highly-responsive and visually stimulating experience while playing games through an AMD graphics card. For visual specs, this top-rated FreeSync monitor can handle 40Hz to 75Hz refresh rates, at full-HD 1080P resolutions with a blazing-fast response time of 1ms. Built-in eye-care technology is also available, with a blue-light filter and flicker-free streams. The ASUS flicker-free technology uses Smart Dynamic Backlight Adjustment to avoid backlight flickering.
Additional features include a “game fast” responsive input mode, dual-HDMI, brand-specific GamePlus and GameVisual applications with visual presets, and an ergonomic stand with height, tilt, pivot, and swivel options. If you want to upgrade your monitor to 1440p, give our review of the best 1440p monitor a read. On the left side of the monitor — where you’ll find the ports for your connectivity options — are dual HDMI ports, a single VGA, and a 3.5mm audio input/output. It’s Energy-Star compliant and meets several other power standards. For more options with G-Sync compatibility, consider taking a look at the top FreeSync monitors with G Sync.
#4 VIOTEK GFV22CB 22” 144Hz 1080P Ultra-Compact Gaming Monitor Under $200
Award: BEST DESIGN
WHY WE LIKE IT: With its stylish frame, minimal bezels, and unique stand, this monitor is one of the most visually arresting before it’s even powered on. An incredible 144Hz refresh rate, full-HD 1080P resolution support, and adaptive FreeSync mean excellent performance, too.
- Designed to maximize desk space
- Fast 144Hz refresh rate
- G-Sync and FreeSync ready
- Slower 5ms response times
- Stuck pixels are more common
This monitor is one of the most uniquely designed, with thin bezels, minimal aesthetics, and a strange yet attractive 3-point stand. All of it makes for a more practical, space-saving design that allows for a lot of desk space despite the monitor size. Plus, it’s VESA-ready, so the monitor can be mounted to the wall if you prefer to do that. For visual specs, this 22” monitor supports full-HD 1080P resolutions, at 144Hz with response times of 5ms, and a 16:9 aspect ratio. If you’re using Mac OS you may need to play around with the resolution setting since the system prefers a 16:10 ratio, unlike the more common 16:9 resolution on Windows. Moreover, it supports adaptive sync technology for both NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards: G-sync and FreeSync. If you’re a big Apple product user, we recommend giving the best monitor for Mac Mini a try to get that Mac interface on your monitor.
Related: See also the best gaming monitor for PS4.
Additional features include a low blue-light filter to help reduce eye strain, flicker-free video, and a wide 170-degree viewing angle. On the rear, you’ll find a high-performance DisplayPort, 2 HDMI, and a 3.5mm audio output. Finally, FPS and RTS players will be happy to see an optimized display mode specifically for these types of games with an integrated GAMEPLUS targeting and crosshairs system. If despite these features you still want a curved monitor, take a look at our guide to the best-curved monitor.
#5 Acer XFA240 BMJDPR 24” 144Hz 1080P G-Sync Gaming Monitor Under $200
Award: BEST FOR NVIDIA GRAPHICS CARDS
WHY WE LIKE IT: Ideal for NVIDIA loyalists, this G-Sync-enabled monitor is super adaptable, thanks to the height, pivot, swivel, and tilting functions for the stand. It supports full-HD 1080P resolutions at 144Hz, with fast response times of 1ms.
- Highly adjustable to suit many viewing angles
- Response time of 1ms
- Fast 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response
- Unappealing stand
- Thicker bezels than some models available
While the crowning glory of this monitor is the NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility, it also works with AMD FreeSync, so no one is locked out. The widescreen 24” monitor operates at full-HD 1080P resolutions, with 144Hz refresh rate via DisplayPort, and the crazy fast 1ms response times helps to reduce input lag. The incredibly adaptable stand also makes it possible to configure the view as needed with height, tilt, pivot, and swivel adjustments. Plus, 170-degree horizontal and 160-degree vertical viewing angles offer a suitable measure of viewable range.
The bezels around the monitor are slightly thicker than most, but they’re not unsightly. Moreover, the monitor is VESA-ready so you can mount it to the wall and remove the stand. On the rear, you’ll find one each of a v1.2 DisplayPort, HDMI, and DVI inputs. Brand-specific eye-care tech is also built-in including a blue light flicker, flicker-free video, and low-dimming functions. This is among the best budget gaming monitor’s that you’ll find.
#6 AOC C24G1 24” 144Hz FHD 1080P Freesync Curved and Frameless Gaming Monitor Under $200
Award: MOST IMMERSIVE
WHY WE LIKE IT: This monitor comes in a wrap-around style, which enhances visual immersion for one of the best all-around gaming experiences. It’s also FreeSync-ready and supports full-HD 1080P resolutions at 144Hz with 1ms response times.
- Dual HDMI ports
- Height-adjustable stand
- Fast 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response
- Not as bright as other monitors
- No built-in speakers
This monitor is curved rather than flat, which means it wraps around players for incredibly immersive experiences. When it’s in your point-of-view, you see much more of the screen than not. Performance-wise, it supports Full-HD 1080P resolutions at a high refresh rate of 144HZ and response times of 1ms. Adaptive sync via AMD’s FreeSync is available, eliminating tearing and frustrating stutters during play. All of it makes for exceptional picture quality.
Eye-care solutions are integrated into this monitor, including a low blue-light filter and flicker-free video without direct current backlighting. The 2 functions work together to reduce eye strain over long play sessions. The panel has a sleek, frameless design with super-thin bezels — they’re barely visible on 3 sides. On the rear, connectivity options include a VGA, DisplayPort 1.2, and 2 HDMI (v1.4) ports. It is VESA-ready and wall mountable. If you’re looking for the best gaming monitor, your search may be over.
#7 Samsung CR50 (LC27R500FHNXZA) 27” 1080P 60Hz Curved and Frameless Gaming Monitor Under $200
Award: BEST BRIGHTNESS
WHY WE LIKE IT: With unbeatable brightness levels, this monitor has a more traditional look, despite its immersive wrap-around frame. Moreover, it’s quite large at 27” and supports full-HD resolutions at 60Hz and 4ms response times.
- Deeper blacks, lighter whites, vibrant colors
- 3-sided frameless and wrap-around design for immersion
- Excellent 3000:1 contrast ratio
- 60Hz refresh rate
- Slower 4ms response times
The brand is known for its bright and vivid displays, and this 27 inch monitor is no exception. An excellent contrast ratio of 3000:1 contributes to much deeper blacks, brighter whites, and incredibly rich and vibrant colors. It’s curved, placing viewers much closer to the action and creating a more immersive environment. Plus, the 3-sided frameless edges offer no interruption for the video. Its performance specs include full-HD resolution support at 60Hz with 4ms response times.
The monitor supports AMD FreeSync technology, reducing screen tearing and visuals for those with compatible graphics cards. It’s flicker-free and has a special eye-saver mode which reduces blue light and cuts down on eye strain. On the rear of the monitor are VGA and HDMI inputs. There is also a 3.5mm audio input and a 3.5mm audio output.
#8 Philips 322E1C 32” 75Hz 1080P Super-Curved Frameless Gaming Monitor Under $200
Award: LARGEST DISPLAY
WHY WE LIKE IT: At 32” this monitor is quite a bit larger than the others, yet it still offers superb visual performance at 75Hz and 4ms response times. It also has ultra-narrow borders on 3 sides, creating a virtually frameless display.
- Accurate color reproduction
- Rounded panel with wide viewing angles
- Cable management built into the stand
- Single HDMIq
- Low-quality speaker
Not only is this display one of the largest, but it offers remarkably precise color production thanks to a 3000:1 contrast ratio and 102% to 104% sRGB. On-screen colors are vibrant, beautiful, and sharp without looking too bright or washed out. That’s not something you generally see with larger-sized monitors. This 32-inch screen size monitor offers a 75Hz refresh rate at full-HD 1080P resolutions, with a 4ms response time. While that response time might be slower, again, with a larger display like this, that’s an impressive rate that helps this model compete amongst the best 32 inch monitors. Plus, the curved body is much more immersive and supports wider viewing angles.
It has a 3-sided ultra-narrow and frameless design, for the sides and the top. It’s also VESA-ready so it can be mounted with most standard kits. A filtered blue light mode and flicker-free operation deliver more comfortable, eye-friendly features. The stand is also somewhat unique, with a rectangular base and a built-in cord management solution. Ports include HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, and audio out.
#9 HP VH240a (1KL30AA) 23.8” 60Hz Full-HD 1080P IPS LED Gaming Monitor Under $200
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: This display rotates to allow for landscape and portrait-based views, but the base also supports height and tilt adjustments. Overall, it’s one of the most versatile monitors around.
- HDCP for major video inputs
- Super thin bezel-less frame
- Excellent 2W dual speakers
- No adaptive sync
- 60Hz with slow 5ms response
Generally, monitors can be repositioned to display in horizontal or vertical views — also known as landscape and portrait — but often it requires removing the display from the stand and refastening it. This monitor offers 4-way maneuverability built into the stand. The 23.8-inch screen size monitor is also height adjustable and can be tilted. It has good image quality and supports full-HD 1080P resolutions at 60Hz, with response times of 5ms.
The display is VESA-ready so it can be mounted with nearly any standard kit. It also has decent connectivity, thanks to HDCP support for both VGA and HDMI. Additional features include a 178-degree wide viewing angle, a 10,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 72% sRGB coverage, and dual 2W speakers built-in.
#10 ViewSonic VX2252MH 22” 60Hz 1080P Gaming Monitor Under $200
Award: BEST COMPATIBILITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: This monitor offers the best overall compatibility with laptops, PCs, and other devices thanks to HDMI, DVI, and VGA support. Several pre-set visual game modes are available out-of-the-box, too.
- Various pre-sets to suit different multimedia applications
- MEGA 50,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
- Comes with DVI, VGA, and audio cables
- Only 60Hz refresh rate
- Thicker bezels
This model is a well-rounded, gaming, and media display with mid-grade performance. While it does have fast 2ms response times, the refresh rate tops out at 60Hz. The 22-inch screen size monitor supports full-HD 1080P resolutions though, which is always excellent. You can also use the ViewSplit software developed by ViewSonic that allows division of your screen into multiple windows. The exterior design is traditional, with thicker bezels and a more generic stand. One of the best features is that it offers extended compatibility, via HDMI, DVI, and VGA inputs. It even comes bundled with several cables, including DVI, VGA, and audio.
A bevy of pre-set game and media modes allows users to quickly, fine-tune experiences. Just choose one and go as opposed to customizing individual settings. Moreover, it offers one of the craziest dynamic contrast ratios, at 50,000,000:1 for super sharp and crisp visuals and colors. Dual 2W speakers offer some exceptional audio, which is unusual as most monitors have low-quality speakers.
How We Decided
During our search, one of the most important features we looked for was a solid combination of framerate and resolution. Every monitor on the list handles, at least, full-HD 1080P resolutions at 60Hz. For graphic-intensive applications and games, a higher framerate and resolution combination means better visuals and an optimized experience. Onscreen movements and actions tend to be more fluid and realistic at higher framerates, and frankly, they look a lot better. Unfortunately, most monitors below $200 are going to be capped at a resolution of 1080P, because 4K resolution displays still tend to be pricey. Until budget displays with true 4K hit the market, be wary of cheap monitors that claim to offer high-resolution support.
Another feature, or specification, is the monitors’ response time, generally indicated in ms or milliseconds. In layman’s terms, response time is the total time it takes for a monitor to react to a particular input, essentially shifting from one color to another. Most measurements consider the time it takes a display to shift from black to white and then back to black again. The average response time is 8 milliseconds or under. The higher the number, the slower the monitor’s response time. While gaming, a lower response time means exceptional visual performance and less jarring transitions, especially for high-latency games like fighters or twitch-based first-person shooters.
We also considered the general design of each screen display, opting for monitors that have minimal bezels or less-intrusive edges. The thinner the bezel, the closer to the action you are. Thicker bezels can ruin immersion especially when you have a multi-monitor setup. The base or stand matters too and should offer suitable movement range to adjust the view and angle of the display. Moreover, when it matters, VESA-mount support is a big deal if the plan is to mount the screen display to a wall.
The Best Monitors Under $200 Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Price
Let’s be real, if you’re after one of the best budget gaming monitors under $200, then you’re searching for something that’s not going to break the bank. There’s nothing wrong with that, and we applaud you, but you’re still going to want to look for a budget gaming display that offers an exceptional price to value ratio. In other words, the price relates to the features and functions of the monitor. At a price closer to the $200 limit you’re going to want more features, it makes sense. The cheaper you go, the more you’ll have to sacrifice, but the hit should never come from mission-critical features such as refresh rate, resolution, or response times. - Resolution and Refresh Rate
Generally, the higher the resolution the better the picture quality. Similarly, a higher refresh rate means a faster, more fluid experience overall — thanks to higher framerates. Full-HD 1080P and a 60Hz refresh rate should be the bare minimum you look for when buying a monitor specifically for gaming. You won’t find many 4K monitors at this price point, but a 144Hz refresh rate is a gold standard. - Size
Similar to TVs, the bigger the monitor the more screen real estate you’ll have, which can lead to a much more immersive experience. Bezel and edge thickness is also relevant here, as a thin or non-existent bezel stays out of the way and offers an edge-to-edge video experience. Expect to see slower response times the larger the monitor, especially in this price range. - Panel Type
There are 3 primary LCD panel types or formats, and they make up the bulk of all monitors sold on the market currently.- TN Panel – TN stands for Twisted Nematic. These panels tend to have a sub-par color range and questionable brightness options, but they offer the fastest response times. As is the case with most monitors labeled for gaming, TN tends to be used for faster performance.
- IPS Panel – IPS stands for In-Plane Switching. These panels tend to be more expensive but that’s because they offer vibrant colors, with higher accuracy and better image quality. They tend to be preferred by graphic designers, artists and photographers — professions that require enhanced color support. They tend to have higher response times than even TN panels, which makes them a secondary choice for gaming.
- VA Panel – VA stands for Vertical Alignment. This type of panel is newer and bridges the gap between TN and IPS panels. This panel type pairs the fast response time of the former display, with the vivid and detailed colors of the latter. It’s one of the better options for gaming overall, as most VA panels feature a super-low response time of 1ms.
- Stand vs VESA-Ready
Are you going to sit the monitor on a desk or table, or are you going to mount it to the wall? If you’re mounting, you’ll want to make sure the monitor you choose is VESA-ready. VESA is a mounting standard, and most TV or monitor mounts you can buy fit the specification. If you’re placing the monitor on a desk, you’ll want to find a stand or base that matches the base. For lower seating, the monitor should offer tilt and height adjustments. If you’re sitting higher, you’ll want swivel and height adjustments. Viewing angle is also another consideration, as wider viewing angles offer the best compatibility based on where you’re positioned in front of the monitor.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing On the Lingo: This is a danger primarily for new buyers. Monitors use a lot of made-up words to describe what they do, like “dynamic action link” and “Splendid Video Intelligence Technology” and “Smart Contrast Ratio.” As we like to tell shoppers, try to ignore all of this. They are just made-up phrases that don’t tell you anything useful. Contrast ratio, for example, is based largely on in-house manufacturer tests that can be created to say whatever the brand wants. Instead of looking at the lingo, drill-down and study what a monitor actually does. It’s less exciting but far better for making a smart purchase.
- Caring Too Much About Aspect Ratio: Aspect ratio is nice, but you need games that offer compatibility for a specific aspect ratio before it’s of any use. Look at other things first.
- Ignoring Ports: Don’t assume all the ports will naturally work with your PC! There’s no guarantee unless you actually look at the connection options.
- Thinking Only About One Monitor: A couple of our top gaming monitors under $200, such as the LG model support easy linking to spread images across more than one screen. This can be useful for both work and gaming, and is an alternative option worth considering.
- Not Watching the Price: IPS panel gaming monitors like the ones we reviewed at a sub-$200 price point are often fluctuating in price. If you aren’t ready to purchase just yet, we recommend you constantly check the price on Amazon or other online retailers for sales and deals. And look at a VA panel monitor too.
