Best Gaming Monitors Under $200 Reviews
Choosing the best gaming monitor under 200 isn’t an easy task. It is especially difficult today when you have a host of companies that have some truly great options, and specifications vary wildly. Do you go for a 1080p panel or a 1440p? Do you need 27”, or is 24” enough? To add salt to the wound, things get even more interesting when you’re limited with your budget. Finding something that checks most, or all boxes, and still has a reasonable price, is tough.
To help with that, we have a list of gaming monitors within that price range. They’re all great options, and unless you’re looking for something specific, you pretty much can’t go wrong with any of them. Note, however, that not all of them come with identical specs. While all come with a 1080p panel, there are differences in refresh rate, adaptive sync options, curvature, panel types, and stands.
Therefore, it’s important that you have a set list of priorities, and you know what’s most important to you. Getting a curved gaming monitor isn’t all that important when your priorities are a G-Sync panel, for example.
10 Best Gaming Monitors Under $200 In 2019 Reviews
 AOC G2590FX | Size: 24.5" Resolution: 1920x1080 Ref Rate: 144Hz Resp. Time: 1ms |
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 Acer GN246HL | Size: 24" Resolution: 1920x1080 Ref Rate: 144Hz Resp. Time: 1ms |
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 BenQ ZOWIE RL2455S | Size: 24" Resolution: 1920x1080 Ref Rate: 75Hz Resp. Time: 1ms |
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 Samsung C27F398 | Size: 27" Resolution: 1920x1080 Ref Rate: 60Hz Resp. Time: 4ms |
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 LG 24MK430H-B | Size: 24" Resolution: 1921x1080 Ref Rate: 75Hz Resp. Time: 5ms |
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 Dell P2417H | Size: 24" Resolution: 1920x1080 Ref Rate: 60Hz Resp. Time: 6ms |
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 Dell SE2417HG | Size: 24" Resolution: 1920x1080 Ref Rate: 60Hz Resp. Time: 2ms |
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 HP 25er | Size: 25" Resolution: 1920x1080 Ref Rate: 60Hz Resp. Time: 7ms |
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 ViewSonic VX2452MH | Size: 24" Resolution: 1920x1080 Ref Rate: 60Hz Resp. Time: 2ms |
1. AOC G2590FX – Best 144Hz Monitor under 200
Just like Acer, AOC is another gaming monitor brand that boasts excellent feature sets at a low price. Compared to the Acer we just spoke about, this may be even a bit better as it has another ace up its sleeve. Or three. If you’re looking for something primarily for gaming, and are on a tight budget, read on as we take a better look at the AOC G2590FX.
The first thing we’ll mention is the panel. It is a TN panel, which means that the colors and viewing angles aren’t as good as IPS. However, what you’re getting on account of that is a 1ms response time and a 144Hz refresh rate. This is very fast, and perfect for the gaming crowd.
To sweeten the pot even further, you have AMD’s FreeSync technology that eliminates tearing and frame skipping. Nvidia also has this as a G-Sync compatible gaming monitor, so you can even take advantage of the tech with an Nvidia graphics card. It truly is the best of both worlds. The second ace up the sleeve of the G2590FX is the 96% coverage of the sRGB color space, which makes this a good option for color accurate creative work.
Last but not least, we have the design. While the stand isn’t too special, the extremely thin bezels are the last thing we loved about it. They make it perfect for multi-monitor setups, and the design, in general, is pretty good. A truly gamer-oriented monitor for the budget-minded individual.
2. Acer GN246HL 24-Inch Widescreen 3D Gaming Monitor
Acer’s on somewhat of a roll when it comes to budget gaming monitors, and the GN246HL is one of the best ones out there. If we were to tell you the specs and performance, we’d be willing to bet that you would guess a price at least twice as high. If you’re interested, read on for the full review.
The first thing we’ll mention about this gaming monitor is the panel. This is a 24” full HD panel, which isn’t IPS, but still has very respectable color reproduction and viewing angles. What is great about it is the 1ms response time and 144Hz refresh rate. This is what gamers want to see, and it’s the first one on our list to offer both. This makes it a truly great option. If you have a system that can push that many frames per second, you’ll enjoy every minute of it. Unfortunately, you won’t get any adaptive sync here, which may be a bummer for some as it’s something we’ve gotten used to.
Now, if you don’t mind the lack of adaptive sync, you’ll be pleased with the inclusion if Nvidia’s 3D Lightboost technology which makes 3D imagery much brighter and better for multimedia consumption. We also loved the port selection – VGA, DVI and HDMI make it pretty versatile for users.
The stand is another thing we aren’t particularly fans of – there’s only tilt adjustment. However, at this price, we honestly don’t mind. It’s a great gaming monitor overall, especially for gamers.
3. BenQ ZOWIE RL2455S 24 inch 1080p Gaming Monitor
Those of you who follow the gaming scene might have been waiting for a model by BenQ. They’re sponsors of some major eSports competitions when it comes to gaming monitors, and it’s great that they actually have some cheaper alternatives for people who don’t want to or don’t feel the need to, go all out on a monitor. The RL2455S is a good option for just about everyone, so let’s take a look at what you’re getting.
To begin with, it’s a 24” full HD panel. It’s not IPS, unfortunately, but you do get a maximal 75Hz refresh rate. As we mentioned earlier, we didn’t see much of a difference from 60Hz, but it’s an improvement, at least on paper. You also have a 1ms grey-to-grey response time, which is pretty fast, as well as BenQ’s display presets which are optimized for different game types. We found that an interesting addition is the scaling mode which lets you create custom screen sizes, as it comes in handy every once in a while. You also get BenQ’s Black eQualizer and Color Vibrance modes, which enhance colors by a bit.
Unfortunately, that’s about it. The stand isn’t too special as you only have a tilt adjustment, and port selection is limited to two HDMI ports. You could VESA mount it, which is nice, and the built-in speakers do a decent job if you don’t expect too much. We do feel like you’re paying a premium for the brand, but it’s a decent gaming monitor nevertheless.
4. Samsung C27F398 – Best 27 inch Monitor under 200
While they’ve made quite a splash with their 32:9 aspect ratio gaming monitors, Samsung also has great budget models. The C27F398 isn’t directly targeted at gamers when it comes to the feature set it has, but that’s exactly what allows it to give you a great experience while keeping the price fairly low. If this has you interested, do read on as we review it.
To begin with, you’ve got a fairly big 27” full HD panel. However, it’s a regular LED one, so you don’t get the vividness and viewing angles of something like an IPS panel. Another issue that we’ve noticed is that pixels look slightly stretched out at this size. If this doesn’t bother you, though, you’ll be pleased to know that the monitor has an 1800R curvature, which makes the experience very, very immersive. This somewhat negates the lack of good viewing angles, at least if you’re looking at the gaming monitor from the front.
Now, while the gaming display only has a 60Hz refresh rate, it also has AMD’s FreeSync technology, so you can expect no tearing, frame drops or other artifacts. You will have a very smooth gaming experience, albeit not at a very high frame rate.
If this is something you don’t mind, combined with the minimal stand and a decent port selection, the Samsung C27F398 could be your go-to gaming monitor. The curved panel is great, and 27” is quite a bit in terms of size, too.
5. LG 24MK430H-B – Best IPS Monitor under 200
First on our list is an excellent budget gaming option by LG. While their ultrawide panels are certainly their focus, that’s not to say that the other models offered by LG are bad, and the 24MK430H-B is a prime example of this. It manages to check most of the boxes for a good gaming experience, yet doesn’t cost too much.
To begin with, you will get excellent image quality thanks to the monitor’s In-Plane Switching technology. The 24” full HD panel has great, vivid colors, and both games and multimedia look absolutely stunning. The 178 degree viewing angles, both vertical and horizontal, are also great. At this price, however, there is no mention of color accuracy, so it may not be the best option when it comes to color accurate work.
The refresh rate is higher than the “regular” 60Hz, but not by a lot – you get 75Hz. While this is an improvement, to the untrained eye this may be insignificant and imperceptible. What will be noticeable, though, is the inclusion of AMD’s FreeSync technology. This basically locks the refresh rate of the gaming monitor to what your graphics card can output, and eliminates things such as tearing and frame drops. The result? A much smoother gaming experience.
The rest of the gaming monitor is fairly standard. You get both an HDMI and a VGA cable, as well as a stand that doesn’t adjust in terms of height, pivot or swivel. There’s a bit of tilt, though. If you don’t mind this, you should be good to go.
6. Dell P2417H 24 Inch IPS Gaming Monitor
Dell has quite a reputation when it comes to gaming monitors. Their Ultrasharp lineup is excellent for color accurate work, and they also have some great more budget-oriented options as part of their Studio and Professional lineups. The P2417H, as the name suggests, is a part of the Professional series, and is a great monitor for gaming on a budget when you want a quality brand behind it and a great panel.
For starters, you’ve got a 24” full HD IPS panel. We’re pretty satisfied from both the 178 degree viewing angles, as well as the 250 nits brightness. This is especially great if you’re using the monitor for media consumption, as you’ll find that things look bright and vivid, regardless of where you’re looking at them from.
A downside here, though, is that you only have a 60Hz refresh rate and a 6ms response time. A casual gamer, especially one that plays single player games, may not mind. But if you’re even remotely serious for anything competitive, you’ll need something faster.
The stand is phenomenal. You get height, tilt, pivot and swivel adjustments. This also makes it great for a second gaming monitor. Port selection is good, with VGA, HDMI, DisplayPort, and a few USB ports as well. You could use it as a USB hub and plug in your peripherals directly in the monitor, saving your ports on your computer. All things considered, a great option.
7. Dell SE2417HG 24″ TN Panel LCD Gaming Screen
Another option by Dell, this time we have one of their Studio monitors. The SE2417HG is much cheaper than the P series monitor we spoke about above, yet is still a pretty good option if you’re on a budget. You have Dell’s excellent stand, as well as a panel that performs pretty well for what it is. Pair it with a good design, and it’s something you should definitely be adding to your shortlist.
To begin with, this is a 24” full HD panel. It’s not IPS unfortunately, but TN. However, for a TN panel, we found that the colors are decent and the viewing angles aren’t as bad as some would expect. Gaming on it is good, and using it as a day-to-day monitor is a pleasure.
What gamers will be interested in is the refresh rate, which is unfortunately only 60Hz, and the response time, which is a fast 2ms. If you can live with this, we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the gaming monitor. If, however, you want something better, we would suggest looking at our last three options below.
We did mention Dell’s stand, and even though the one on the SE2417HG isn’t as adjustable as the one on the P series option we mentioned, it’s still a great stand. It takes up little space and has cable management room, which is welcome.
At the end of the day, if entry-level specification is good enough for you, but want a reputable brand, few can be better than the Dell SE2417HG.
8. HP 25er 25-inch Full HD IPS LED Backlit Monitor
When it comes to HP’s gaming monitor lineup, the Omen monitor is what first springs to mind. However, Omen products are generally expensive, so the HP 25er is our budget option for our list. It still covers most of the basics for a great experience, and the price is fairly low, too. But even at a low price, is it any good for gamers on a budget? Let’s find out.
Starting things off with the 25” panel, the first thing you’ll notice when you look at the gaming monitor are the bezels. More specifically, the lack of bezels. This is a very modern design, especially if you want to go for multiple monitors side by side. Sure, the bottom bezel may not be as thin, but it’s still great. Pair that with the IPS panel with a full HD resolution, and you have bright, vivid colors that pop. You also have 178-degree viewing angles, which are excellent, especially for things such as gaming and media consumption.
Now, since this is a budget gaming monitor, there are compromises. In the case of the HP 25er, the compromise is a 60Hz refresh rate and no adaptive sync. This may not be as much of a problem when it comes to single player games, but as we said earlier, for competitive games this could be problematic.
However, if you’re on a tight budget, the HP 25er is a good option. It has an excellent panel, very slim bezels and a modern stand that looks great in just about any setup.
9. ASUS VG245H 24 inch Widescreen Monitor
Contrary to popular belief, Asus doesn’t only make high-end gaming monitors that belong to their Republic of Gamers lineup. They also have budget models that may not come with all the quirks and features of their high-end brethren, but are still quite good for people who can’t afford hundreds of dollars on a monitor. The VG245H is one of them, as it comes in around the price tag we’re discussing and has most of the basics covered for both gaming, and day to day use.
Kicking things off with the panel, it is decent. We aren’t going to say great, because it is only a TN panel, compared to the many IPS alternatives we spoke about earlier. However, there are still respectable viewing angles – 170 degrees horizontal and 160 degrees vertical, as well as a brightness of 250 nits. Now, the 24 inch 1080p panel also has another ace up its sleeve – the 1ms response time, which is faster than any of the other options we spoke about so far.
If you can live with a TN panel, you’ll be happy to know that the port selection is good – VGA, two HDMI ports and a 3.5mm audio output. You also have two 2W speakers and the option to VESA mount it to a wall or a mount. All things considered, if you can live with 60Hz and don’t mind a TN panel (a fast one at that), you should be good to go.
10. ViewSonic VX2452MH 24 Inch Gaming Display
Even though we’re looking at the best monitors under 200, it’s no secret that there are gamers out there who are even more limited with their budget. If you’re one of them, we have a great option for you, too, and it’s the ViewSonic VX2452MH. It’s a pretty versatile gaming monitor that aims to please the budget crowd, without missing out on any of the essentials.
To begin with, the 24” full HD panel performs good, but it’s honestly nothing to write home about. It doesn’t have a high refresh rate or extremely good viewing angles, but it will get the job done. The 300 nits brightness is good, and there are a few “gaming” visual modes you can choose from, if you believe they’ll make things better. This is an individual choice, though, and we’ve found that the basic mode works well. You might like the Game Mode which brightens dark scenes to reveal more detail. What’s good is the 2ms response time, which should satisfy gamers. It’s close enough to 1ms, in a monitor that costs a fraction of the price of the competition.
Aside from this, you have a great port selection. HDMI, DVI and VGA are all there, and you also have two integrated speakers which do a decent job. While this isn’t a 144hz 1ms response time, you will find that at this price, few are better. The somewhat modern design rounds things off, making this a pretty viable gaming monitor option if you’re on a tight budget.
Conclusion
As you can see, even if you’re significantly limited with your budget, there’s still an abundance of great gaming monitors. You will even find high-end features such as a 144Hz refresh rate, or a 1ms response time, as well as adaptive sync. If you’re in need of a new monitor, you can’t go wrong with any of the options above.
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