The 5 Best Budget And Cheap Monitors - Fall 2023 Reviews

The best monitor we've tested in the budget category is the Gigabyte M27Q P. It's a very good overall monitor that's versatile for different uses, like if you need something for gaming and working on the side. It has a 27-inch screen with a 1440p resolution, producing good text clarity. This resolution also delivers enough detail while playing games, and it has a 170Hz refresh rate with variable refresh rate (VRR) support to reduce screen tearing. It also has great motion handling thanks to its fast response time across its entire refresh rate range.

It has a few extra features that make it versatile for other uses besides gaming. It has a KVM switch that makes it easy to switch between devices and use the same keyboard and mouse connected to the monitor. It also has a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alt Mode that lets you display an image from a compatible device, but because it's limited to 18W of power delivery, it isn't enough to charge a laptop while you're using it. This monitor is the newer version of the popular Gigabyte M27Q, which is very similar, but some units of it use a BGR subpixel layout that results in worse text clarity than the M27Q P, so if you want something versatile, it's better to stick with the M27Q P.

If you find that the Gigabyte M27Q P is out of your price range and you're looking for the best cheap monitor, there are a few options. One of those monitors is the ASUS VG246H, a decent, cheap display with a smaller 24-inch screen and 1080p resolution than the Gigabyte. One difference is that it doesn't have a fast refresh rate for gaming, so it's better to get this only if you need a simple monitor for work. If you need something for gaming, consider the Acer Nitro XF243Y Pbmiiprx; however, it tends to cost more.

Despite its low cost, the ASUS still has an sRGB picture mode with great accuracy before calibration, meaning images look life-like without any calibration. It also has good reflection handling, which is useful if you want to use it in a well-lit room, but it doesn't get bright enough to fight intense glare. Lastly, it has remarkable ergonomics that make it easy to adjust, which is great if you constantly need to share your screen with someone else.

If you aren't a fan of the 24-inch screen size and want something a bit bigger, many cheap 27-inch monitors don't offer anything special and usually have limited picture quality. However, the Gigabyte G27Q is a good 27-inch option with a 1440p resolution, but it costs more than the ASUS, so only get it if you want the bigger screen.

If you're willing to spend more on something than the ASUS VG246H and need a monitor dedicated to office work, check out the ASUS ProArt Display PA278CV. It has a 27-inch, 1440p screen like the Gigabyte M27Q P and an even more ergonomic stand that makes it extremely easy to adjust. That said, the ASUS has a lower refresh rate than the Gigabyte and is worse for gaming, so only consider the ASUS for office work, and consider the Gigabyte if you need something versatile for work and play.

Besides its ergonomic stand, the ASUS is great for productivity because it gets very bright and has decent reflection handling, so you won't have issues using it in a well-lit room. It also has an extremely accurate sRGB mode, which is great if your work requires accurate colors, like if you're a content creator. Lastly, it comes with a USB hub with a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alt Mode, making it easy to quickly connect to a compatible laptop. However, if you don't need the USB-C port, you can also consider the slightly cheaper ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV, which doesn't have one and performs similarly.

If you don't need something for office work like the ASUS ProArt Display PA278CV and prefer a smaller screen than the Gigabyte M27Q P, there are plenty of good, budget-friendly 24-inch monitors. However, many monitors with this screen size focus on gaming, and that's the case with the ViewSonic XG2431, which has a higher 240Hz refresh rate than the Gigabyte but with a lower 1080p resolution, images aren't as detailed. Regardless, it's an impressive gaming monitor with a fast response time and VRR support to reduce screen tearing. You can also consider the Dell Alienware AW2523HF if you want something with a higher 360Hz refresh rate, but it tends to cost more.

Although the ViewSonic doesn't have many extra features, it does have two USB ports. It's good if you want to connect your mouse and keyboard directly to the monitor or if you need extra USB ports to charge devices while gaming. It also has great ergonomics and wide viewing angles, so it's still versatile enough if you need a small display for productivity and gaming.

If you want a bigger screen, a few budget-friendly 32-inch monitors are decent enough for everyday use, like the LG 32GN650-B. You can also find it as the 32GN63T-B at different retailers, and both models perform the same, so you can get whichever you can find for cheaper. It has a higher resolution than the ViewSonic XG2431, but the pixel density is similar, and the text clarity is just okay, so images aren't sharp.

The main downside is that this monitor has a lower 165Hz refresh rate than the ViewSonic and isn't as good for gaming. It has worse motion handling with more smearing and inverse ghosting, but it's still decent enough if you're getting into PC gaming. It also has FreeSync VRR support with G-SYNC compatibility to reduce screen tearing. Additionally, it has a VA panel that looks good in dark rooms thanks to its high native contrast, but it has narrow viewing angles, so the image looks washed out when viewing from the sides.