Last Updated on September 2, 2022
To make the most of the recent games, you need compatible hardware. This means a fast GPU and a responsive monitor. These days monitors are available in a vast varying range that is loaded with all sorts of great features. They are aimed at both types of buyers, those who shop on a budget and those who shop for features.
Today, I will discuss some of the monitors that are targeted at budget buyers. Some of them are my personal findings, and I have done research and testing on these monitors for better results.
But, before we go ahead, I want to clear up things that these are not the top of line displays, they do combine a lot of good features at a very affordable price. If you are a gamer who is looking for an affordable gaming monitor, you should give this article a good read.
Our Top Picks For Best Budget Gaming Monitors Under $100
As mentioned above, we have compiled a list of the best budget gaming monitors under $100 to help you find a suitable one for yourself. These units combine affordability with functionality to provide you with a satisfactory performance for a great gaming experience. Other than gaming, they are also very useful for other everyday tasks like web browsing, documentation, and emails. Read on to find a detailed review of the monitors that we recommend.
1. Asus VP228HE 21.5” FHD 60Hz Budget Monitor
Display: 21.5” Full HD (1920×1080)
Connectivity: HDMI and VGA
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Response Time: 1ms
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What recent buyers report?
Buyers who have recently bought this unit report it as a great unit. They say that it is actually quite flawless in terms of appearance and functionality. It is very light and easy to install with compatibility with VESA wall mounts, so users have been using it very conveniently. They also like the built-in stereo speakers that produce good quality audio effectively eliminating the need for external speakers. This monitor has been very useful at saving a lot of desktop space for them with its VESA mount compatibility and built-in speakers.
Why it stands out to us?
Right out of the box, it looked stylish and eye-pleasing to me. I was surprised by its features when I checked the manual that it features a slim design with slightly thick bezels. The overall build quality is quite excellent.
Moreover, the monitor stand sturdy in our bend and build check and we give it a (8/10) rating in terms of build quality. Also I mounted it easily mounts on its circular space-savvy stand. Being VESA wall mount compatible, you can also easily mount it on walls or arms to have full adjustability. It produces high-quality images that are crisp and clear.
While watching Netflix and playing games on steam, I noticed a spot on color accuracy. All in all, It has the potential of saving you some precious desktop space with its capability of mounting on walls. The built-in stereo speakers are very loud so you won’t need external speakers.
If you are shopping for a budget gaming monitor, then this is one of the best monitors from Asus. It is slim, stylish, and very reliable. It comes with a circular stand that saves some of your desktop space. The bright 21.5 inches display is very suitable for gaming purposes. Especially with the lowest response time of 1ms. It is a very stylish and functional unit that will easily fulfil the demands of modern gaming.
2. Acer SB230 Bbix 23″ 75Hz Budget Monitor
Display: 23″ Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS
Connectivity: HDMI and VGA
Refresh Rate: 75Hz
Response Time: 1ms
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What recent buyers report?
Recent buyers of this budget monitor are very impressed with its performance. They say that the almost frameless design with very narrow bezels makes it very suitable for multiple monitor setups. The built-in speakers are a good addition, but users say its sound quality could have been better. People who have purchased this solely for gaming reported that it is an excellent performer that can easily keep up with the action of the game.
Why does it stand out to us?
This monitor stands out to us as one of the best budget gaming monitors. Similar to the Asus model, it has a sleek and stylish design. Honestly, it captured my eyes with its frameless display design that’s surrounded by thin bezels which offered an immersive gaming experience while playing Red Dead Redemption.
Moreover, its IPS panel enabled me to view high-quality images as well as very accurate and vivid colors. We mounted it on a sturdy circular stand due to which I was able to tilt it. That said, sometime I like to use it as a vertical monitor for live streaming on YouTube.
Aside from this, you can also tilt it upwards or downwards according to your convenience. The best part? It supports FreeSync adaptive sync technology which is not very common in monitors at this rate.
This is a very decent option for you to consider. A 23 inches full HD IPS display with the fastest response time of 1ms and a good refresh rate of 75Hz. Throw in the affordable price and it is a combination you don’t come across every day. If you decide to purchase it, you will have a sleek and stylish addition to your office or workplace.
3. Acer SB220Q bi 21.5 Inches Cheap Monitor
Display: 21.5 inches Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS
Connectivity: HDMI and VGA
Refresh Rate: 75Hz
Response Time: 4ms
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What recent buyers report?
People who have recently bought and used this monitor report that it is one of the best budget gaming monitors. They like that it comes in a stunning chassis and is equipped with a matte screen that prevents glare. They say that the sleek design is very eye-pleasing and adds a touch of high-end decor to their homes or workplaces. They also love the extra feature of a Kensington lock that keeps their monitor safe. What they don’t like is its lack of a USB port and compatibility with VESA wall mounts.
Why it stands out to us?
This monitor from Acer is a stylish yet affordable unit. Out of the box, we were introduced with a high resolution 21 inches display featuring an IPS panel. It produces clear and sharp images with accurate colors.
With its decent refresh rate of 75Hz and a 4ms response time, I was able to get decent FPS of 40 in various AAA titles.
Specifically, it works as a great moonlight for budget buyers to play around until they can upgrade to a faster unit. The frameless design offers a more realistic and immersive visual experience. Equipped with FreeSync technology, it promises to provide you with smooth and lag-free gaming.
To conclude, we will say that this monitor checks all the right boxes to qualify it as a productive unit for budding gamers. With the FreeSync technology, it will provide you with smooth and tear-free visual. It delivers images that are quite clear and detailed. It offers you ergonomic freedom by tilting upwards or downwards according to your convenience. Hence it is a monitor that should be given a higher spot on your list of possible candidates.
4. Sceptre E205W-16003R 20” Best Cheap Monitor Under $100
Display: 20″ Led HD+ (1600 x 900)
Connectivity: 2 x HDMI and VGA
Refresh Rate: 75Hz
Response Time: 5ms
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What recent buyers report?
Gamers who have recently invested in this monitor find it a decent performer. They like that even at a rock bottom price it offers a number of features that are comparable to any higher end monitor. They say that assembling it is easy as it comes with all the hardware required to set it up. The enclosed screwdriver is of very high quality. The compact size with built-in speakers saves them a lot of desktop space.
Why it stands out to us?
This Sceptre monitor offers all the features that you need in an entry-level unit. The slim, stylish yet sturdy design is a solid performer. It has a refresh rate of 75Hz with a response time of 5ms. It offers a number of connectivity options in the form of DVI, HDMI, and VGA ports. However, it lacks a USB port. It delivers visuals with a high degree of clarity so you can observe everything in great detail. It comes with a hard plastic tilt-only stand that is actually very sturdy. All in all, it is a unit that is certainly worthy of your attention.
If you are in the market for a cheap gaming monitor to indulge in some lighthearted gaming then this is the right one for you. It has a stylish and sturdy design with thin bezels for a more immersive experience. It offers reliable performance with decent color accuracy and sufficient viewing angles. The image quality and grayscale performance of this monitor are also quite decent. So you can invest in it without having any second thoughts.
5. AOC 24B2XH 24” Best Budget Gaming Monitor
Display: 24″ Full HD+ (1920 x 1080)
Connectivity: HDMI and VGA
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Response Time: 8ms
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What recent buyers report?
Gamers who recently decided to purchase this monitor report that it is a worthy investment. They say that although it does not have the clarity of the more expensive displays, it does a decent job of delivering good quality visuals that are quite detailed. They point out that using the HDMI connection over the VGA connection produces much better picture output.
Why it stands out to us?
This is one of the best gaming monitors under $100. Even at this price, we were able to get all the display juice and high resolution of a high-end model from this monitor.
Due to its LED-backlit, I didn’t experience any screen flickering while using it. This is also responsible for enhancing the contrast ratio and reduces the eyestrain on your eyes while staring at or for longer periods of time. It features a high-resolution display that delivers sharp images in vivid details.
This is a suitable contender for your choice of a good budget monitor. It comes at a very affordable price yet offers a number of great features. It has a frameless design with very slim bezels. The bezels themselves go unnoticed as they are flush with the screen. The stand is basic with tilt-only ergonomics yet it is very sturdy. To wrap up, we will say that this sleek high-resolution monitor is a good choice for people who want a quality gaming monitor but are operating on tight budgets.
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING A BUDGET MONITOR
Some people think that getting a good monitor is not important. While it certainly does not affect the overall performance of your system, a good monitor does have a huge influence on what you experience while using it. It is the most important output device that guides you through every operation. And since you are going to be staring at it for long time periods, you should choose your monitor very carefully. Here are some aspects to consider before buying a budget monitor.
Price
Since you are buying a budget monitor, price should be your number one priority. Anybody can buy a high-quality unit at a high price. The important thing is to choose a good quality unit that fits within your budget. It is the right one to buy for yourself.
Old customer feedback
When choosing a suitable monitor for yourself, be sure to check the old customer feedback that is widely available online. Reading these reviews gives you a better idea of what a certain monitor is actually capable of. You will have a first-person account to help you guide through finding a suitable budget monitor for yourself.
Connectivity ports
When you decide on a certain monitor, be sure to check the connectivity options it offers. These days monitors offer a number of connection ports. These include VGA, HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB. Be sure to purchase a unit that is compatible with your system.
Aspect ratio
The aspect ratio is the measurement of the ratio between the height and width of a monitor display. The majority of monitor models available in the market have an aspect ratio of 16:9. This is a good aspect ratio for gaming as well as other multiple tasks.
Display colors
When buying a budget monitor, pay close attention to its color display. We strongly suggest you choose a monitor that is capable of displaying the full 16.7 million colors (24 bit) possible from an RGB space.
Resolution
Clear and sharp visuals are very important for a great gaming experience. When you are buying a gaming monitor for yourself, be sure to get the highest resolution possible. This ensures very clear, vivid, and sharp visuals to take your gaming experience up a few notches.
Refresh rate
Since we are talking about gaming monitors, the refresh rate is a top priority when choosing a budget gaming monitor for yourself. The higher the refresh rate the better the performance of the monitor.
Response time
When choosing a new monitor for yourself, make sure to choose a unit that has a response time of less than 5ms. Any more and you will start experiencing major input lags. The lower the response rate the better the monitor is at gaming.
Screen size
Screen size is also a concern for gamers. If you purchase a large screen you will have difficulty keeping an eye out everywhere on the screen. And if you get a very small one, everything will appear cramped. That’s why a screen size of 24 Inches is regarded as the ideal display size for gaming. For a better reference range, you can get a monitor with a screen size if anywhere between 22 inches to 25 inches.
What Will You Get In This Price
Truthfully, $100 is not much. You cannot expect to get too much at this price. Yet you will come across some older models that were top of the line in their time and still have good feedback. Here is a brief account of some of the features that you will surely find in the best cheap gaming monitors under 100 USD.
Screen size
While a screen size of 24 Inches is considered an ideal display size for a gaming monitor. At a $100 price range, you will find that a majority of the monitors don’t fulfil this criterion. You will get monitors of varying screen sizes with the 21 inches to display size being the most common one.
Resolution
For $100, 1080p is the highest resolution that you will get. Unless you opt for a refurbished 4K. A 1080p resolution is good for gaming as in small screen size, the pixel density is better so you get a sharp and clear picture. We strongly suggest you to not purchase anything under a 1080p.
Refresh rate
In the past, the refresh rate for most budget monitors used to be 60Hz. Today, most budget monitors offer a refresh rate of 75Hz with the potential of overclocking up to 100Hz. Although this is not an ideal refresh rate for fast-paced gaming, it is still better than 60Hz which may cause screen tearing.
Response time
The ideal response time for a gaming monitor is 1 or 2ms. However, most budget monitors feature a response time higher than that. We believe that a monitor whose response time falls under 5ms is a good choice.
Panel type
Although IPS panels do produce images of higher quality. Monitors that come under a $100 price are mostly equipped with TN panels. Sure their viewing angles and colors are not great but they do have the advantage of faster refresh rate and pixel response.
FINAL VERDICT
Effective gaming requires a lot of decision-making. But nothing beats the pressure of making the right choices when it comes to shopping for monitors on a budget. Since the monitor technology has gotten cheaper over time, even in a very limited budget of $100 you can get a quality gaming monitor for yourself.
We have listed above some of the best gaming monitor under $100 to facilitate your search for a suitable one. They feature slim low profile designs that are pleasing to the eye and never look out of place at home or at an office. Some of them are compatible with VESA wall mounts so you can easily mount them on walls if you don’t want to set them up on your desktop. They are surely not 4K but even then their image quality is not too bad. You can buy any one of them and rest assured that it will give you a satisfying performance for a longer period of time.