Best Budget Monitors (2026): Ranked, Tested & Compared
The 10 best budget monitors from $119 to $349, ranked by panel quality, resolution, and value.
Top 10 Picks
ASUS ProArt PA278CV
Best budget 1440p with USB-C and ProArt color.
- 1440p
- USB-C
- ProArt calibrated
- Ergonomic stand
- Over $300
- 60Hz
Dell S2721QS
Budget 4K with thin bezels and good color.
- 4K
- Thin bezels
- Good color
- Over $300
- No USB-C
Gigabyte M27Q
Best budget 1440p 170Hz gaming monitor.
- 170Hz
- 1440p
- KVM
- Under $280
- No USB-C PD
- Basic stand
AOC 24G2
Best budget 1080p 144Hz gaming monitor.
- 144Hz
- Under $150
- IPS panel
- 1080p
- No USB-C
ASUS VG279Q
1080p 144Hz IPS gaming monitor.
- 144Hz
- Under $250
- IPS
- 1080p
- No USB-C
LG 27MP60G-B
Budget 1080p IPS with good color.
- Under $200
- IPS panel
- Good color
- 1080p
- 75Hz only
BenQ GW2480
Budget 1080p IPS with eye care.
- Under $130
- IPS
- Eye care mode
- 1080p
- 60Hz
ViewSonic VA2719
Budget 1080p IPS with thin bezels.
- Under $160
- Thin bezels
- IPS
- 1080p
- 60Hz
Sceptre E275B
Ultra-budget 1080p but basic.
- Under $120
- 1080p
- TN panel
- Poor color
- No IPS
AOC 27B1H
Budget 1080p IPS but basic stand.
- Under $160
- IPS
- 1080p
- Basic stand
- No USB-C
Comparison Table
| # | Name | Brand | Resolution | Panel | Refresh | Ports | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ASUS ProArt PA278CV | ASUS | 1440p | IPS | 60Hz | USB-C, HDMI, DP | 4.4/5
★★★★☆ | $329 |
| 2 | Dell S2721QS | Dell | 4K | IPS | 60Hz | HDMI, DP | 4.3/5
★★★★☆ | $349 |
| 3 | Gigabyte M27Q | Gigabyte | 1440p | IPS | 170Hz | USB-C, HDMI, DP | 4.4/5
★★★★☆ | $279 |
| 4 | AOC 24G2 | AOC | 1080p | IPS | 144Hz | HDMI, DP | 4.2/5
★★★★☆ | $149 |
| 5 | ASUS VG279Q | ASUS | 1080p | IPS | 144Hz | HDMI, DP | 4.2/5
★★★★☆ | $249 |
| 6 | LG 27MP60G-B | LG | 1080p | IPS | 75Hz | HDMI, VGA | 4/5
★★★★☆ | $199 |
| 7 | BenQ GW2480 | BenQ | 1080p | IPS | 60Hz | HDMI, VGA | 3.9/5
★★★★☆ | $129 |
| 8 | ViewSonic VA2719 | ViewSonic | 1080p | IPS | 60Hz | HDMI, VGA | 3.9/5
★★★★☆ | $159 |
| 9 | Sceptre E275B | Sceptre | 1080p | TN | 75Hz | HDMI, VGA | 3.7/5
★★★★☆ | $119 |
| 10 | AOC 27B1H | AOC | 1080p | IPS | 60Hz | HDMI, VGA | 3.8/5
★★★★☆ | $159 |
Pros & Cons Summary
ASUS ProArt PA278CV
Dell S2721QS
Gigabyte M27Q
AOC 24G2
ASUS VG279Q
LG 27MP60G-B
BenQ GW2480
ViewSonic VA2719
Sceptre E275B
AOC 27B1H
How to Choose a Budget Monitor
1080p is fine for 24-inch panels, but at 27 inches text looks pixelated — choose 1440p or 4K for sharper text and more workspace. 1440p is the sweet spot for budget buyers who want clarity without a high-end GPU.
IPS panels offer accurate color and wide viewing angles and are the standard choice for office, creative, and gaming use. VA panels offer deeper contrast for movies but slower response. TN panels should be avoided — they have poor color and viewing angles even at the lowest price.
60Hz is acceptable for office work and browsing. 75Hz is a small but noticeable improvement. 144Hz or higher is recommended for gaming and smoother cursor movement. Higher refresh rates require a compatible GPU to take advantage of.
USB-C with Power Delivery lets a single cable carry video, data, and power — ideal for laptops. Budget USB-C monitors typically offer 65W charging. If you use a MacBook or modern Windows laptop, USB-C is worth prioritizing even at a higher price.
Office work favors IPS, 1440p or 4K, and ergonomic stands. Gaming favors high refresh (144Hz+) and low response time (1–5ms). Creative work favors color accuracy (sRGB 99%+) and 1440p or 4K resolution. The ASUS ProArt PA278CV is the only budget pick that bridges all three.
FAQ
What is the best budget monitor?
The ASUS ProArt PA278CV at $329 is our top pick. It offers 1440p resolution, IPS panel, USB-C connectivity, and ProArt color calibration — excellent value for both work and light creative use. For strictly under $300, the Gigabyte M27Q at $279 is the best value with 1440p, 170Hz, and a KVM switch.
Can I get a good monitor under $200?
Yes. The LG 27MP60G-B at $199 has an IPS panel with good color. Avoid TN panels under $150 — they have poor viewing angles.
Is 1080p enough for 27 inches?
No. 1080p on 27 inches looks pixelated. Aim for 1440p or 4K. The Gigabyte M27Q at $279 is the best 1440p budget option.
Are budget gaming monitors good?
Yes. The AOC 24G2 at $149 and Gigabyte M27Q at $279 are excellent budget gaming monitors with IPS panels and high refresh rates.
Should I buy IPS or TN?
Always IPS. TN panels have poor color and viewing angles. IPS is standard even in budget monitors like the LG 27MP60G-B.
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