Looking to get a good gaming monitor but don’t want to spend a lot? There are many options under $500 that give you great speed, bright colors, and good build quality.
But with so many choices, it can feel confusing. Don’t worry—some monitors stand out for their features and price.
They can help make your gaming sessions more fun and smooth.
Keep looking, and you’ll find a great monitor close to your budget.
Acer Nitro KG241Y Sbiip 23.8” Gaming Monitor (Full HD, 165Hz, AMD FreeSync, 1ms)
- 23.8" Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen VA Monitor | AMD FreeSync Premium Technology
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz | Response Time: 1ms (VRB) | Pixel Pitch: 0.275mm | Color Saturation: NTSC 72%
- Zero-Frame Design | HDR Ready
If you want a gaming monitor that doesn’t cost a lot but still works really well, the Acer Nitro KG241Y Sbiip is a good pick. It has a 23.8-inch Full HD screen with vibrant colors. The VA panel makes pictures look bright and clear. It covers 72% of the NTSC color range, so colors look nice. It also supports HDR for better picture quality. The monitor uses flicker-less technology, which helps your eyes stay comfortable during long gaming sessions.
This monitor has a refresh rate of 165Hz. That means the images on the screen update 165 times each second. It also has a quick 1ms response time, so movements are sharp and smooth. AMD FreeSync Premium technology helps keep the picture steady by matching the monitor’s refresh rate with your graphics card. This reduces screen tearing and lag, giving you smoother gameplay.
The design is sleek with almost no frame around the screen. It looks good and fits well on any desk. The stand lets you tilt the monitor to find a comfortable viewing position. But the stand can feel a bit wobbly on smaller desks. The monitor does not have built-in speakers, so you will need external speakers or headphones for sound. Also, when you first set up the monitor, you might need to adjust some settings to get the full 165Hz refresh rate.
This monitor is great for gamers who want smooth gameplay without spending a lot. It is simple to use, provides good picture quality, and has features that help your game look better and run smoother.
Best for: Gamers on a budget who want a high-refresh-rate monitor for fast, responsive gameplay.
Pros:
- Fast 165Hz refresh rate helps you see quick movements clearly.
- 1ms response time makes gameplay smooth and sharp.
- AMD FreeSync Premium reduces tearing and lag.
- Bright colors with HDR support and 72% NTSC color coverage for a lively picture.
Cons:
- The stand might not be very sturdy on small desks.
- No built-in speakers, so you need external audio devices.
- You might need to tweak settings at first to reach the full 165Hz speed.
Pixio PX275 Wave Pink 27-inch Gaming Monitor
- CRISP AND VIBRANT 27" IPS DISPLAY - Experience breathtaking visuals with exceptional color accuracy and wide viewing angles on the 2560 x 1440 resolution...
- 100HZ REFRESH RATE FOR SMOOTH GAMING - Experience ultra-smooth visuals with a 100Hz refresh rate, ensuring fluid motion and reduced motion blur during...
- WORK HARD, PLAY HARDER - The perfect balance of 100Hz and 1440p means you don't have to break the bank to play any games at 60+ FPS while maintaining a crisp...
The Pixio PX275 Wave Pink 27-inch Gaming Monitor is a good pick for gamers on a budget. It has a 27-inch IPS screen that shows sharp and bright images. The monitor’s resolution is 2560 x 1440, so everything looks clear and full of color. With a brightness of 350 nits, your games and videos look vivid and bright. The monitor supports a 100Hz refresh rate and has a 1ms response time, making fast motions look smooth. It also features Adaptive Sync, which helps prevent screen tearing during gameplay. The design is sleek and modern, with easy-to-connect ports, so setting it up is simple. Some plastic parts may feel cheap or creaky, but overall, it offers good performance and style. Sometimes, users report flickering or lines after long use. It doesn’t have many ergonomic features, like adjustable height or tilt, but it remains a solid, budget-friendly choice for gamers who want good visuals and smooth play.
Best For: Gamers who want a bright, colorful display and smooth performance without spending a lot.
Pros:
- Clear, colorful 1440p IPS screen with wide viewing angles
- Smooth gameplay with 100Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time
- Stylish look and easy to connect to other devices
Cons:
- Limited tilt adjustment, could be more adjustable
- Plastic parts might feel cheap or make creaking sounds
- Some users see flickering or lines after long use
- Lacks advanced ergonomic features like height or full tilt adjustment
Alienware AW2524HF Gaming Monitor
- 500Hz (OC)/480Hz (NATIVE) REFRESH RATE: Delivers new category of speed and motion clarity, making even fast-paced games look supremely fluid. If the...
- FAST IPS PANEL: It enables 0.5 ms gray-to-gray response time , minimizing blurring and ghosting, even in fast-paced games, while offering wide viewing angles...
- AMD FREESYNC PREMIUM TECHNOLOGY AND VESA ADAPTIVESYNC DISPLAY CERTIFICATION: To ensure players will experience tear- and stutter-free gaming at high speed, with...
The Alienware AW2524HF gaming monitor is a great pick for competitive gamers. It has a super-fast 500Hz overclocked refresh rate. This means the screen updates very quickly, making gameplay look smooth and clear. The monitor has a 24.5-inch Full HD display. Its 0.5ms response time helps reduce blurring and ghosting, so fast-moving scenes stay sharp.
The monitor uses a Fast IPS panel. This gives bright, colorful images with 99% sRGB coverage. It also supports HDR, which can make bright scenes more vivid and detailed. Adaptive sync technology helps prevent screen tearing, so your game stays smooth during fast action. You can also adjust the monitor’s height and tilt to find a comfortable position.
Some users have reported issues with build quality, like flickering pixels or dead pixels. Its HDR performance is not the best for color work or professional tasks. Customer service and warranty support have received mixed reviews, with some complaints about slow response.
SAMSUNG 27 Odyssey QHD Gaming Monitor (LS27BG652ENXGO)
- QHD RESOLUTION: Your gaming world will be more life like than ever before. Packing in 1.7 times the pixel density of Full HD, QHD resolution boasts...
- DISPLAYHDR 600: Reveal the whole picture. DisplayHDR 600 delivers more contrast, with deeper blacks and brighter whites to help you uncover enemies orsecrets...
- 240Hz REFRESH RATE & 1ms(GTG) RESPONSE TIME: Speed through scenes. 240Hz refresh rate eliminates lag for exhilarating gameplay withultra-smooth action. Jump on...
Looking for a good gaming monitor that doesn’t cost too much? The SAMSUNG 27 Odyssey QHD Gaming Monitor (LS27BG652ENXGO) is a solid choice. It has a big 1000R curved screen that wraps around your eyes a little. This makes games feel more immersive and comfortable to watch for long periods. The monitor’s resolution is QHD (2560×1440), so pictures are clear and detailed.
This monitor also supports DisplayHDR 600. That means it shows brighter whites and better contrast. Colors look rich and vibrant. For fast-paced games, it has a 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. That means the game images stay smooth and clear, with less blurry motion. It also comes with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, which syncs the monitor’s refresh rate with your graphics card. This helps prevent screen tearing and makes gameplay smoother.
The design of this monitor is sleek, and it has a Gaming Hub built in. This makes it easy to launch games and control settings right on the screen. It’s perfect for players who want high-quality visuals and smooth gameplay without paying a lot.
Best for: Gamers want an immersive experience with good visuals and fast gameplay at a fair price.
Pros:
- The 1000R curve makes games feel more real and comfortable.
- 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time for smooth action.
- DisplayHDR 600 makes colors bright and contrast rich.
Cons:
- Works best with AMD FreeSync; may not be ideal for NVIDIA users.
- The curved screen might not fit all desk setups or preferences.
- Slightly more expensive than some standard monitors with similar features.
Samsung Odyssey 32-inch QHD Curved Gaming Monitor (LS32BG652ENXGO)
- QHD RESOLUTION: Packing in 1.7 times the pixel density of Full HD, QHD resolution boasts incrediblydetailed, pin-sharp images; Experience a fuller view with...
- DISPLAY HDR 600: DisplayHDR 600 delivers more contrast, with deeper blacks and brighter whites to help you uncover enemies orsecrets lurking in the shadows;...
- 240Hz REFRESH RATE & 1MS RESPONSE TIME: 240Hz refresh rate eliminates lag for exhilarating gameplay withultra-smooth action; Jump on enemies right when you see...
Looking for a gaming monitor that won’t break the bank? The Samsung Odyssey 32-inch QHD Curved Gaming Monitor (LS32BG652ENXGO) is a good choice. It has a resolution of 2560×1440 pixels and a curved screen with a 1000R curve. This makes games more immersive and fills your side view, so you feel more part of the action.
The monitor can run at 240Hz, which means fast-moving images stay smooth. It also has a quick 1ms response time, so there’s less delay during fast games. With DisplayHDR 600, the contrast and colors look sharper and more vivid. It comes with many ports, including USB-C, HDMI, and DisplayPort, so you can connect different devices easily.
Some users have noticed scan lines appear at high refresh rates, especially on certain colors. These lines can affect how smooth the picture looks during quick motion. Also, the monitor may get warm or overheat after long use. A few people have also faced issues with flickering, freezing, or connection problems.
Acer Nitro KG241Y Sbiip 23.8” Gaming Monitor (Black)
- 23.8" Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen VA Monitor | AMD FreeSync Premium Technology
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz | Response Time: 1ms (VRB) | Pixel Pitch: 0.275mm | Color Saturation: NTSC 72%
- Zero-Frame Design | HDR Ready
Looking for a gaming monitor that is fast and affordable? The Acer Nitro KG241Y Sbiip 23.8” does the job well. It has a 165Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time, which keeps gameplay smooth and sharp. Its VA panel makes colors look bright and clear. The monitor is ready for HDR, giving better contrast and more vibrant images. It has a modern, simple design that fits well in any gaming setup. You can tilt the screen for comfortable viewing. It supports HDMI and DisplayPort, so you can use different devices and get high refresh rates when properly set up. The stand might feel a little wobbly, but the monitor has flicker-free technology and detailed visuals. Overall, it’s a good choice for gamers looking for a budget-friendly, high-performance monitor.
Best For: Gamers who want a fast, colorful monitor without spending a lot.
Pros:
- Fast 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time for smooth gaming
- Supports AMD FreeSync Premium, reducing screen tear
- Vibrant colors with HDR support and 72% NTSC color coverage
Cons:
- The stand can feel flimsy and unstable
- No built-in speakers, so you’ll need external audio
- Getting the full 180Hz refresh rate might need some adjustment
This monitor is easy to use and offers good performance for its price. It’s perfect if you want a monitor that’s responsive, colorful, and reliable for gaming.
KOORUI 24 Inch Curved Gaming Monitor
- 1500R Curved Immersion: The KOORUI 24 inch curved gaming monitor features an 1500R curvature, offering a wider, more comfortable，more immersive and natural...
- 180Hz Smooth Gameplay: Experience buttery-smooth visuals with 180Hz refresh rate and 1ms MPRT response time , perfect for competitive FPS, racing games, or...
- Excellent Color: Enjoy vibrant, true-to-life colors with a 250 cd/m² brightness, 8-bit color depth, and a 16.7 million color gamut. HDR10 support brings out...
The KOORUI 24 Inch Curved Gaming Monitor is a great pick for gamers who want an immersive experience without spending a lot. Its 1500R curve makes the screen feel more natural and deep, pulling you into the game. The monitor has a 1080p full HD panel, which shows clear and bright pictures. It also supports HDR10, so colors look more lively and detailed. With a 180Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time, it delivers smooth gameplay with little to no lag, perfect for fast action games.
This monitor also cares for your eyes. It has features like Flicker-Free technology and a Blue Light Filter that reduce eye strain during long gaming sessions. Its slim bezel design looks modern and stylish. It offers multiple input options so you can connect different devices easily. Plus, it comes at a price that fits many budgets, making it a solid choice for gamers who want quality without overspending.
Best For: Gamers and movie lovers who want a budget-friendly curved monitor with good performance and vivid visuals.
Pros:
- The 1500R curve makes gaming more immersive.
- 180Hz refresh rate and 1ms response give smooth, clear action.
- Supports HDR10, giving rich colors and better picture quality.
Cons:
- The power button is at the back, which can be hard to reach.
- It might auto-dim a little when it heats up.
- Mounting can be tricky because the screw depth is shallow.
This monitor is a good choice if you want a curved screen that looks good, performs well, and doesn’t cost too much.
Acer Nitro 27 Full HD Gaming Monitor (ED270R)
- Acer's Nitro ED270R 27" 1500R curved panel monitor with Full HD resolution delivers an incredible gaming experience.Specific uses for product - Gaming
- 27" Full HD (1920 x 1080) 1500R Curved Widescreen VA Display
- AMD FreeSync Premium Technology | Brightness: 250 nits
The Acer Nitro 27 Full HD Gaming Monitor (ED270R) is a good pick for gamers who want a smooth and clear picture without spending too much. It has a 1500R curved VA panel that makes games look more immersive. The monitor has a 165Hz refresh rate, which means it updates the screen 165 times a second. This helps make fast-moving scenes look smooth and reduces lag.
The 27-inch screen shows sharp images with a resolution of 1920 x 1080. Its high contrast ratio makes colors pop and makes dark scenes look better. The 1ms response time helps prevent blurry images when scenes change quickly. This is especially good for fast-paced games. The monitor also has AMD FreeSync Premium technology, which helps keep the image steady and reduce tearing.
The monitor provides ergonomic adjustments like tilt, swivel, and height. These options let you set the screen in a comfortable position for long gaming sessions. It also has multiple ports for connecting to computers and gaming consoles. Built-in stereo speakers add sound without needing extra devices.
This monitor is budget-friendly and provides a good balance of performance, comfort, and visual quality. It works well for both gaming and casual use.
Who should buy it: Gamers and casual users who want an immersive experience with high refresh rates and good picture quality, without paying too much.
Pros:
- Fast 165Hz refresh rate for smooth gameplay
- 1ms response time reduces motion blur
- Curved 27-inch VA panel with vibrant colors and strong contrast
- Adjustable tilt, swivel, and height for comfortable viewing
Cons:
- Control buttons can be hard to use at first
- Power cord placement may be tricky for some setups
- Limited support for HDR effects, which matters for HDR fans
Factors to Consider When Choosing Gaming Monitors Under $500
When choosing a gaming monitor that costs less than $500, focus on a few key things. First, check the screen resolution. A higher resolution means sharper visuals. Next, look at the refresh rate. A higher refresh rate makes game movements look smoother. Response time is also important. A quick response helps your games look clear and keeps lag away.
Make sure the monitor has good ports, so you can connect your gaming devices easily. Also, think about the monitor’s stand. Features like height and tilt adjustments help you stay comfortable during long gaming sessions.
Display Resolution Quality
When you pick a gaming monitor under $500, the resolution is very important. Resolution means how clear and sharp the picture looks. Monitors with higher resolution, like QHD (2560×1440) or 4K, show more detail and make games look more realistic. The images are crisper, which makes playing and watching videos more fun. Better resolution also helps you see fast-moving things clearly in speed games. But keep in mind, higher resolution needs a stronger graphics card to keep the game smooth. Many monitors under $500 come with 1080p or QHD screens. These give you good picture quality without costing too much. The type of panel also matters. IPS panels give better colors and wider viewing angles than TN or VA panels.
Refresh Rate Options
A monitor’s refresh rate shows how many times it updates the picture each second. It’s measured in Hertz (Hz). A higher refresh rate means the image looks smoother and clearer, especially when things move fast. For example, a 60Hz monitor updates 60 times per second, which works well for normal daily use. Gaming monitors under $500 usually have refresh rates from 75Hz to 165Hz. These give a good mix of fast performance and affordable price.
If you play fast games or want less lag, look for a monitor with 144Hz or higher. Monitors with 240Hz or even 500Hz are built for competitive gaming and give very smooth motion. Just remember to match your monitor’s refresh rate with your graphics card. This helps prevent screen tearing and makes your gaming look better and feel more responsive.
Response Time Efficiency
Response time efficiency is very important for smooth and quick gameplay. A lower response time, like 1 millisecond (ms) or less, helps reduce blurring and ghost images during fast actions. Response time is measured in milliseconds, and gray-to-gray (GTG) is the most common way to measure how fast pixels change and how much input delay there is. Monitors with quick response times show clearer, smoother images, which is especially useful in competitive games where speed matters. To get the most responsive experience, choose a monitor with fast response times and a high refresh rate, such as 165Hz or higher. Technologies like FreeSync or G-Sync can also help by reducing visual glitches like tearing or stuttering. Focusing on these features will help you get the best gaming experience, especially if you have a budget of under $500.
Connectivity Features
To get the best gaming experience, look at a monitor’s connectivity features. These tell you how easy it is to connect your devices. Find a monitor with multiple HDMI and DisplayPort inputs. This way, you can connect more than one gaming console or PC at the same time without unplugging cables. USB-C ports are helpful if you want to connect laptops or peripherals easily. Check if the monitor has built-in speakers or an audio-out port so you can connect speakers or headphones without needing extra gear. Make sure the monitor works well with your graphics card or gaming console to get smooth performance at high refresh rates. Also, look for extra ports like USB hubs or headphone jacks. These add more convenience and make your gaming setup more flexible and simple.
Ergonomic Adjustability
Ergonomic adjustability is important when choosing a gaming monitor under $500. It helps you set the screen to a comfortable position. Look for monitors that can tilt, move up and down, spin, and rotate. These features let you reduce neck strain and eye tiredness. Monitors with VESA holes let you mount them in different ways, giving you more choices. Easy controls for adjustments are helpful so you can change the position quickly. Good ergonomic setup makes gaming more comfortable and helps you stay relaxed during long play sessions. Picking a monitor with these features ensures your gaming feels better and you can play comfortably for a long time.
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