Budget-Friendly Monitors: Top Picks Under $200

If you're looking for a monitor under $200, there are a lot of options to choose from. The best choice for you will depend on what you need it for. For example, if you're a gamer, you'll want to look for a monitor with a high refresh rate and a fast response time. On the other hand, if you're a designer, colour accuracy and resolution will be more important. Here are some of the best monitors available for under $200:

- Acer K273: This 27-inch IPS monitor offers good image quality, decent colour accuracy and a 75Hz refresh rate, all for under $200.

- BenQ GW2490: At just $89, this 24-inch monitor delivers outstanding value for money. It has a 100Hz refresh rate and supports both G-Sync and FreeSync.

- Philips 243B9H: This 24-inch, 1080p monitor has a versatile stand, a built-in webcam and good image quality. It's a great all-rounder, but at $300, it's at the top end of the budget range.

- AOC Q27V4EA: This 27-inch, 1440p monitor has a premium design and good image quality. It's a good choice if you want a sharp, accurate image without breaking the bank.

- Cooler Master GA2501: This 24.5-inch gaming monitor has a 100Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time, making it a good budget option for gamers.

- ViewSonic VX2718-PC-MHD: This 27-inch curved gaming monitor has a 165Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time. It also has both HDMI and DisplayPort connections.

IPS vs TN panels

When it comes to choosing a monitor, there are two main types of panels to consider: In-Plane Switching (IPS) and Twisted Nematic (TN). Both technologies have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the right choice depends on your specific needs and preferences. Here's a detailed comparison to help you decide between IPS and TN panels:

Visual Quality

IPS panels offer superior colour accuracy, capable of displaying 16.7 million colours, which is the maximum number of colours that can be produced by graphics cards. This makes them an excellent choice for professionals who require accurate colour representation, such as graphic designers and photographers. TN panels, on the other hand, can display only 262,144 colours, resulting in colour banding and less accurate colour reproduction.

Viewing Angles

IPS panels provide wide viewing angles, ensuring consistent colours and contrast even when viewed from side angles. In contrast, TN panels have narrow viewing angles, and colours and contrast can shift dramatically when not viewed head-on. This can be a drawback for those who share their screen with others or prefer to watch movies or play games from different positions.

Performance Metrics

TN panels typically offer higher refresh rates and lower response times, making them a popular choice among competitive gamers. IPS panels have slightly lower refresh rates and higher response times but deliver superior colour accuracy and wider viewing angles, making them ideal for graphic design, photo editing, and other colour-critical applications.

Durability

IPS panels are generally more susceptible to image retention or burn-in, while TN panels may show signs of colour shift over time, especially when viewed from extreme angles. However, with proper care, both types of panels can last for many years.

Cost

TN panels are usually more affordable than IPS panels. For example, a 27-inch TN panel with a 144Hz refresh rate can be found for around $300, while a similar IPS panel may cost upwards of $500. The price difference reflects the quality and performance, with IPS panels offering better colour accuracy and viewing angles.

Use Cases

For gaming, TN panels are often preferred due to their faster response times and higher refresh rates. However, IPS panels provide better colour reproduction and viewing angles for an immersive gaming experience. For professional work, IPS panels are typically the preferred choice due to their superior colour accuracy and consistency, making them ideal for graphic design, photography, and video editing. For general use, both IPS and TN panels can serve well, depending on your budget and specific requirements.

Ports and connectivity

When it comes to ports and connectivity, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it's important to determine what type of ports you need on your monitor. The most common types of ports include HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, DVI, and USB-C. HDMI and DisplayPort are the most versatile options, as they can carry both digital image and audio information over a single cable. DisplayPort is a better choice for 4K monitors or those with high refresh rates and is commonly found on Macs and Windows PCs. HDMI, on the other hand, is more widely used on home AV equipment. DVI is another option for digital video input and is popular among gamers for its lower latency. VGA connectors are older and less common these days, but some monitors may still include them. Additionally, USB-C or Thunderbolt connections can be useful for power/charging and data transfer.

When choosing a monitor, it's also important to consider the number and variety of ports available. Some monitors offer only the basic HDMI and VGA ports, while others provide a wider range of options, including multiple HDMI and DisplayPort inputs, as well as USB-C and audio ports. If you plan to connect multiple devices to your monitor, it's important to ensure that it has the necessary ports to support them.

Another factor to consider is the adjustability of the stand. While not directly related to ports and connectivity, the stand can impact the overall usability of the monitor. Look for a monitor with a fully adjustable stand that allows for height adjustment, tilt, swivel, and pivot functions. This will ensure that you can position the monitor at a comfortable height and angle for extended periods of use.

• Acer K273: This monitor offers HDMI and VGA ports, along with a 3.5mm headphone jack.
• BenQ GW2490: Features DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 1.4 ports, and built-in speakers.
• Philips 243B9H: Includes USB Type-C, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, and a three-port USB hub.
• Dell Ultrasharp U2421E: Comes with a built-in USB-C hub for easy connection to your laptop.
• Dell UltraSharp U3419W: Offers a USB-C port for connecting the latest laptops.
• ViewSonic VX2718-PC-MHD 27" Full HD 165Hz FreeSync Curved Gaming Monitor: Equipped with HDMI and DisplayPort.
• AOC 24G2SPAE G2 24" IPS Full HD 165Hz 1ms Gaming Monitor: Features HDMI, DisplayPort, and VGA ports.
• Philips E-line 241E1SC 24" Full HD FreeSync Curved Monitor: Includes HDMI, DisplayPort, and audio ports.
• Dell P2425H 24" IPS Full HD Monitor: Provides HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, and USB ports.

Response time

The exact method of measuring this statistic isn't agreed upon, and there are different ways of measuring it. "Black to white to black" measures the time for a pixel to go from fully active (white) to inactive (black) and back to active again. "Grey-to-grey" (GtG) functions on what is called a middle gradation, meaning these pixels do not become fully inactive. LCD GtGs have roughly 256 gradations of grey. Grey-to-grey response times are much faster and are great for those interested in better gaming experiences and videography.

If you are a casual internet user, response time is not a very important factor. Even if you regularly use your PC for things like watching movies or videos, response time still may not be that big of a deal for you. However, if you are a gamer, response time matters quite a lot. Having a lower response rate, such as one to five milliseconds can make all the difference for you. It also allows for more distinct motion and less of what is called “ghosting”.

If you are an everyday user, for things like professional businesses, or just casual surfing, response time may not be the number one factor you should consider. However, if you are a gamer or videographer, then a monitor with a low response time is definitely something you should consider.

Refresh rate

The refresh rate of a monitor refers to the number of times per second that the image on the screen is refreshed. For example, a 60Hz display will update the screen 60 times per second. A higher refresh rate can improve your gaming experience by reducing motion blur and screen tearing, and it can also reduce eye strain and fatigue by minimising flicker and ghosting.

If you're a gamer, a higher refresh rate can give you a competitive edge in fast-paced games by reducing input lag and increasing responsiveness. For general browsing, a higher refresh rate can make scrolling and using a digital pen more fluid and natural.

If you're using a laptop or tablet, lowering your refresh rate can save battery power by reducing the amount of energy your display consumes, thus extending your battery life.

When it comes to choosing a monitor, you can expect to find a refresh rate of at least 60Hz, with some monitors offering 144Hz, 240Hz or even 360Hz. These higher refresh rates are aimed at gamers and will require a powerful graphics card to keep up.

• Dell G2724D: This 27-inch, 1440p monitor has a 165Hz refresh rate and is a great choice for gaming. It offers low input lag and VRR support, and it supports VRR with the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
• Acer Nitro XV275U P3biipx: This monitor has a 170Hz refresh rate and VRR support, making it a good option for gaming. However, it may not be the best choice if you're looking for the highest gaming performance as it has some smearing and blur with fast-moving objects.
• AOC C24G1 24" Curved Frameless Gaming Monitor: This monitor has a 144Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync, which reduces input lag, screen tears and monitor stutter. It also has a quick response rate of 1ms, which is ideal for games requiring fast reflexes or precise timing.
• HP Omen 24.5-inch: This monitor has a 144Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync, and it also boasts a super-fast response rate of 1ms.
• BenQ GW2490: This 24-inch monitor offers a 100Hz refresh rate and support for Nvidia's G-Sync and AMD's FreeSync active frame rate synchronisation, making it a decent choice for gaming.
• Acer K273: This 27-inch IPS panel has a 74Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync support. It also has overdrive controls for gamers and delivers good coverage of the sRGB colour gamut.

So, when choosing a monitor, consider your intended use and whether you require a higher refresh rate. If you're a gamer, a higher refresh rate can enhance your gaming experience. If you're looking for a monitor for general browsing or work, a standard refresh rate of 60Hz may be sufficient, but a higher refresh rate can still provide a smoother overall experience and reduce eye strain.

Resolution

The cheapest monitors will have Full HD resolutions of 1920 x 1080 pixels (often referred to as 1080p). Ultra HD or 4K displays quadruple this resolution to 3840 x 2160 pixels, providing a much clearer and more detailed image. There are also monitors with Quad HD resolution (2560 x 1440 pixels), which falls in between Full HD and Ultra HD.

When choosing a monitor, it's important to consider the size of the screen in relation to the resolution. As a general rule, a larger screen will require a higher resolution to maintain a clear and sharp image. For example, a 22-inch monitor with a Full HD resolution will look pin-sharp, while a 27-inch monitor with the same resolution may appear softer and more pixelated.

For a 24-inch monitor, Full HD resolution is considered the sweet spot, providing a balance between size and resolution. For a 27-inch to 32-inch monitor, a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels (Quad HD) or higher is recommended to maintain optimal image quality.

It's worth noting that the availability of certain resolutions may be limited within your budget. Monitors with 4K or Ultra HD resolution can be expensive, and you may need to opt for a lower resolution to stay within your budget of under $200.

Frequently asked questions