Best budget gaming monitors 2021 ft. AOC, Asus, Gigabyte, more

Gaming monitors are somewhat notorious for costing an insane amount of money if you want the best specifications. Manufacturers continue to produce higher refresh rates and video quality which only increases the prices of monitors. 

However, with each new advancement in the world of gaming displays, more and more budget options begin to surface. It’s simple supply and demand, as more gamers want the newest innovation, the older generations of monitors start to decrease in price. 

For consumers not looking to back up a Brinks truck to afford the latest and greatest monitor, this is fantastic news, especially in 2021. There are a plethora of terrific budget monitors that deliver fantastic performance for their price point. 

The best budget gaming monitor 2021

LG UltraGear 24GL600F-B

(Picture: RTINGS)

Size: 24”  Resolution: 1920x1080  Refresh Rate: 144 Hz  Pixel Type: TN  Response Time: 1 ms

To start off this list, we’re going with a basic monitor that’s perfect for a majority of gamers who want a simple display that also looks great. The LG UltraGear 24GL600F-B is a fairly basic display that comes packed with modern specifications. The 144 Hz refresh rate paired with the 1 ms response time is what really sells this monitor, though. 

While the TN panel might disorient those that are used to an IPS panel, the colour options on the monitor more than makeup for that. Most retailers sell this monitor for US$200. 

The best budget 1080p gaming monitor 2021

AOC 27G2

(Picture: AOC)

Size: 27”  Resolution: 1920x1080  Refresh Rate: 144 Hz  Panel Type: IPS  Response Time: 1 ms

The AOC 27G2 possesses almost all of the same features as the LG monitor above. However, the 27G2 is three inches bigger and features an IPS panel, which is overall better for gaming, as you can view the screen from wider angles. 

While the extra length might cause some to think it’s much more expensive than the LG monitor above, it comes in at around the same price. For those with the room on their desk, it’s hard to beat this monitor’s value and performance. 

The best budget Ultrawide gaming monitor 2021

GIGABYTE G32QC

(Picture: RTINGS)

Size: 32”  Resolution: 2560x1440  Refresh Rate: 165 Hz  Pixel Type: VA  Response Time: 1 ms

One of the better overall values on this list, the GIGABYTE G32QC is one of the best ultrawide gaming monitors on the market. Featuring all of the specs that you’d expect, it’s not too large and not too small, coming in at 32”. While some gamers prefer 34”, this monitor delivers all of the capabilities of any other ultrawide display. 

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The minimal curve is another great feature for gamers looking to upgrade to an ultrawide for the first time. However, the real selling point of the monitor is its price, which comes in at a stunning US$360. 

The best budget 1440p gaming monitor 

Gigabyte G27Q

(Picture: GIGABYTE)

Size: 27”  Resolution: 2560x1440  Refresh Rate: 144 Hz  Pixel Type: IPS  Response Time: 1 ms 

Gaming nowadays is best played at higher resolutions to squeeze every bit of graphical intensity out of new titles. 1440p is considered the best resolution for this and there’s not a better budget option than the GIGABYTE G27Q. GIGABYTE makes some great monitors for a respectable price point, as the G27Q features all of the capabilities one would expect out of a 1440p display. 

The 27” size is a sweet spot for most gamers and the IPS display works perfectly for all matters of situations. While GIGABYTE’s customer support has been criticized in the past, the G27Q is still a tremendous deal at around US$300. 

The best budget 4k gaming monitor 

ASUS TUF Gaming VG289Q

(Picture: ASUS)

Size: 28”  Resolution: 3840x2160  Refresh Rate: 60 Hz  Pixel Type: IPS  Response Time: 5 ms

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG289Q monitor is a 4k capable display that features an IPS panel and stands at 28” in length. An all-around terrific monitor, gaming in 4k is an indescribable experience assuming your PC can handle the graphics. However, with FreeSync, this monitor can run games as smooth as silk even if you’re not reaching the desired 60 FPS.

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One of the bigger attractions with this display is its HDR10 capabilities, which allow for crisper and more detailed images. While your games will look as stunning as possible, movies and other videos will also be delivered in perfect HD quality. Some may think a gaming monitor of this calibre would break the bank but you can buy it for a more than reasonable US$350.