If you play games on a PC, a good monitor is just as crucial as your graphics card or processor. The right monitor can make your games look sharper, smoother, and more immersive. But what if you’re on a tight budget? Can you get a decent gaming monitor for under $200?
The answer is yes. Several monitors under $200 offer reasonable refresh rates, fast response times, and clear visuals. These are great for competitive games like Valorant, CS: GO, or Fortnite, as well as story games and racing titles.
In this guide, we’ll look at some of the best gaming monitors under $200 that you can buy right now. All of them are worth the money, and each one has its strong points.
1. AOC 24G2 – 24-Inch 1080p 144Hz
- Price: Around $160–$180
- Resolution: 1920×1080 (Full HD)
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Panel Type: IPS
- Response Time: 1ms MPRT
The AOC 24G2 is one of the most popular budget gaming monitors. It has a 144Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time. That means gameplay feels smooth and fast. These features are perfect for competitive gaming.
It uses an IPS panel, which offers better colors and viewing angles than TN panels. That means the image looks good even when you’re not sitting directly in front of it.
It also supports AMD FreeSync. That reduces screen tearing when playing fast games.
The design is thin bezels and a red accent. The stand is fully adjustable. You can tilt, swivel, or raise it to your liking.
Overall, the AOC 24G2 gives excellent performance for the price. It’s great for both casual and serious gamers.
2. ASUS VG248QG – 24-Inch 1080p 165Hz
- Price: Around $190–$200
- Resolution: 1920×1080
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz (Overclocked)
- Panel Type: TN
- Response Time: 0.5ms (GTG)
This monitor is built for speed. The ASUS VG248QG has a blazing-fast refresh rate of up to 165Hz. The 0.5 ms response time is excellent for first-person shooters and racing games.
It uses a TN panel, so the colors aren’t as vibrant as on IPS screens. But the speed makes up for it. If you play fast-paced games like Overwatch or Apex Legends, this is a good choice.
It supports both NVIDIA G-Sync (compatible) and AMD FreeSync. That helps to prevent screen stutter and tearing.
The stand is fully adjustable and even allows portrait mode. The monitor also has built-in speakers, though they aren’t great.
This monitor is all about performance. It’s not the best for watching movies, but for gaming, it’s a beast in its price range.
3. Sceptre E248B-FWN168W – 24-Inch 1080p 165Hz
- Price: Around $130–$150
- Resolution: 1920×1080
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz
- Panel Type: IPS
- Response Time: 1ms
Sceptre is not as well-known as ASUS or AOC, but this monitor is a solid budget option. It offers a 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, which is excellent for the price.
It uses an IPS panel, so you get decent colors and better angles than TN monitors.
It also supports AMD FreeSync. That’s useful if your graphics card sometimes drops below 60 FPS.
One downside is the stand. It only tilts and doesn’t have height adjustment. But if you don’t need that, this monitor offers excellent value.
Gamers on a budget will love this pick. It has most of the features you need without breaking the bank.
4. Dell S2421HGF – 24-Inch 1080p 144Hz
- Price: Around $150–$170
- Resolution: 1920×1080
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Panel Type: TN
- Response Time: 1ms
Dell’s S2421HGF is a strong pick for budget gamers. It has a 144Hz refresh rate and a fast 1ms response time. It also supports AMD FreeSync Premium.
The TN panel doesn’t offer amazing color, but it’s fast and responsive. This is useful for competitive players who care more about performance than looks.
The build is solid. Dell has included a clean design and a sturdy base. There are also plenty of ports, including HDMI and DisplayPort.
It doesn’t have a lot of extras, but it gets the job done. For less than $170, it’s an excellent choice for entry-level gamers.
5. Acer Nitro KG241Y – 24-Inch 1080p 165Hz
- Price: Around $130–$140
- Resolution: 1920×1080
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz
- Panel Type: VA
- Response Time: 1ms VRB
This monitor from Acer offers excellent value. It has a 165Hz refresh rate, which is great for smoother gameplay. The 1ms VRB response time helps reduce blur.
It uses a VA panel. That gives it a better contrast than TN or IPS. Dark scenes in games like Resident Evil or Metro Exodus look deeper and more detailed.
The downside is that colors and brightness can shift at wide angles. But if you play solo and sit right in front, you won’t notice much.
It also supports AMD FreeSync and has decent port options. For under $150, it’s a great deal.
What to Look For in a Budget Gaming Monitor
1. Refresh Rate
A higher refresh rate (like 144Hz or 165Hz) makes games feel smoother. It’s essential for shooters and racing games.
2. Response Time
Lower response times mean less blur. Look for monitors with 1ms or lower response times.
3. Panel Type
- IPS: Best for colors and angles.
- TN: Best for speed but weaker color.
- VA: Best contrast, suitable for dark scenes.
4. Adaptive Sync
Features like FreeSync or G-Sync help avoid screen tearing. This is useful for smoother gameplay.
5. Build Quality
Make sure the stand is stable. Adjustable height is a nice bonus.