7 Best Budget Gaming Monitor Reviews in 2023 | Awesome Screens At a Modest Price

One of the biggest features that stood out to me during my testing of the XG2402 was its ability to handle motion. Thanks to its 144Hz refresh rate, high-FPS games like Call of Duty, CS:GO, or Warzone look smooth and realistic.

And remember our discussion on FreeSync a moment ago? Well, the XG2402 supports it, so you won’t have to worry about that pesky screen tearing occurring during gameplay.

I’m a big fan of the brightness levels on this monitor. It’s like it has more oomph behind it, making games stand out in a way that you usually only see on premium models. ViewSonic gets a big thumbs-up for the technological craftsmanship they put into the XG2402.

Colors are also impressive. Images are rich, deep, and robust, displaying games the way they were meant to be seen.

Another area that deserves praise is the styling and build-quality. It may be a budget gaming monitor, but it feels solid and sturdy. The screen can be rotated and pivoted any way you like it.

And it looks nice, too. From the very first moment you see it, there’s no question who this monitor is meant for.

It’s incredible what a difference a few inches makes in a monitor. IPS variants such as these that rock 1080p resolution and a refresh rate of 144Hz were once only available in 27-inch models.

Now that Acer has released this 24-inch monitor, images don’t look as muddy. Pixels are perfectly sized and look clear as a bell. I can honestly say that a few less inches in screen real estate is a welcomed change.

For one, the viewing angle on the VG240YP is quite wide. Games are displayed in beautiful 1920 x 1080 resolution. Colors look crisp and vibrant, with brightness levels that bring out each image in exceptional clarity.

So, how do games play? After all, that’s the whole reason you’re here, right? During my time with the VG240YP, every game played on it was nothing short of stunning. The 144Hz refresh rate goes a long way in delivering smooth, seamless gameplay.

I also love the amount of screen that there is. There is barely any frame around this monitor, and I find that this helps to further engross you in the game. The build-quality is commendable, although it’s a little lacking to accommodate the low price point.

You also don’t get much flexibility in the positioning of the screen. It tilts, and that’s about it. Those looking for more freedom in where they place their screen should check out ViewSonic’s XG2402.

Let’s be honest. We’ve all had those moments where we stayed up way too late playing games and our eyes felt like they were going to explode. If you find yourself regularly doing this, it’s time to either start thinking about protecting your eyes or cutting back on your game time.

Since the latter is likely out of the question, I’m here to introduce you to the ASUS VG279Q. This monitor sports ASUS’s special Eye Care technology. I found it to play a big role in reducing eye strain.

There’s also lower contrast, but don’t think this factor ruins image presentation. I’d maintain that it’s hardly noticeable, but I guarantee your eyes will certainly appreciate it. And thanks to speedy response time, high frame rate and motion is handled expertly.

Colors are also quite vibrant. Gameplay looks fantastic on this monitor, although there were times when I was wishing for a slightly higher pixel count. This is only a minor quibble, though. 

You’ll be happy to know that FreeSync is supported on the VG279Q. Screen tearing won’t interfere with your games thanks to this feature.

Viewing angles are wide and immersive. There isn’t much border either, further engrossing you into your gaming experience.

If you’re looking for a monitor that gives you freedom and flexibility, you’ll love Dell’s U2518D. It sports a rotatable screen for user-friendliness and greater convenience.

At 25 inches, images look absolutely stunning. This is due in large part to the 2560 x 1440 screen resolution. Combined with the wide aspect ratio, games feel immersive and responsive.

I must say, the image quality alone makes this entry a winner and worthy of its ranking. But when you factor its excellent response time and versatility, the U2518D is a great investment for any gamer. 

Sure, its refresh rate is a bit on the low end, but I didn’t notice anything lacking in its delivery. Motion looks just fine, and the frame rate is handled really well. 

This only thing I wasn’t too keen on was the black levels. Some of them just don’t hit that deep mark you like to see in certain games. Some gamers might find this is enough to take them out of the game. 

It wasn’t so much that it ruined anything for me, but your mileage may vary. Aside from that minor caveat, you’re getting an excellent gaming companion that won’t disappoint.

I’ll be honest. I’ve not had a lot of experience with curved displays. The closest I’ve had to it is a curved Samsung smartphone that was hot about 10 years ago. 

So you can imagine my amazement when I finally got my hands on the AOC CQ32G1. Clocking in at 32 inches, you’re getting a huge display that sucks you into whatever game you’re playing.

It works really well and features hardware that pulls the most out of your games for a truly impressive gaming experience. The high refresh rate ensures that motion is handled smoothly.

I never noticed any screen blurring or problems with performance. More than anything, I was blown away by how well the curved display works to raw you in. Graphics are sharp and vibrant, further enhancing your play time.

The build-quality of the CQ32G1 is also quite nice. It feels sturdy and very well-crafted. This is important and nice to see, as the monitor is built to be wall-mounted if you so desire.

If it had one drawback it would be that its brightness levels aren’t the best I’ve seen. Still, when images look as good as they do on the CQ32G1, brightness isn’t that big of a deal.

Good gravy. This thing is nothing short of amazing. How is it that LG is able to sell this mammoth of a monitor for such a low price? First of all, you’re getting a whopping 34 inches of widescreen action that never fails to impress.

Not to mention the visual clarity that is delivered consistently during gaming. Contrast is most excellent, and I feel it adds to the overall visual appeal that you get from this monitor.

During my time with the 34UM68-P, gameplay was smooth and snappy. The refresh rate could certainly be higher in the specs, but I never noticed an ounce of lag. In fact, I’d argue that some of my regular playthroughs improved from using this monitor.

The build-quality is equally exceptional. I love the stylish and sleek design that LG implemented into this model. And considering its large body, the 34UM68-P has excellent weight and balance to it.

It should be noted that I noticed some visual blandness when using the monitor for other applications. As it stands, I have to say that it’s only good for gaming. Anything else will have you wanting better resolution.

I appreciate that the 34UM68-P is designed to be mounted to a wall. This circles back to its excellent craftsmanship. It’s a beast of a monitor that is tough and durable. 

Connectivity options are a bit limited, as it only has a couple of HDMI ports and one DisplayPort. It’s strictly meant for gaming on the visual side of things. 

If you want audio options, you’ll need to get those from your sound system. I’d imagine that most of us pipe our headphones through this way anyhow. 

I’m rather fond of the viewing angles afforded by the 34UM68-P. You can tilt and adjust the screen position to better accommodate your gaming needs.

If you’ve been bothered by screen tearing in your games up until this point, you’ll love the difference this monitor makes. Thanks to FreeSync, this issue will be a thing of the past.

You also get a total of three game modes built right into the 34UM68-P. One is designed for strategy games, while the other two are for first-person shooters. I was happy with the effect each mode had on the games it was meant for.

Looking for some 4K goodness? With the BenQ EL2870U, you’re getting some truly exceptional graphical prowess. The price for this classy monitor is amazing, giving everyone a chance to own to play games in ultra-high definition. 

FreeSync makes another appearance, ensuring that your games run smoothly and seamlessly. You won’t find any screen tearing here.

I really appreciate that BenQ equipped the EL2870U with Eye Care technology. Now you can play until the wee hours of the morning with less eye strain.

The refresh rate might only be 60Hz, but motion looks great. Even games with high frame rate are handled incredibly well. I didn’t have any issues with input lag, that’s for sure.

In fact, I enjoyed gaming on this monitor so much that I found myself repeatedly returning to it. The resolution is a big reason for this. You have to see it for yourself to fully appreciate it.

The only gripe I have has to do with colors and how they are displayed. I definitely got better results from the other entries I reviewed. Still, the visual clarity makes up for this to some degree.

I also wish there were more versatility to the screen positioning. Tilting is the only option available, limiting you on where you can play games. 

I would have liked it if there were more connectivity options, too. You only have access to a couple of HDMIs and a DP. But considering the low price, some caveats are expected.