- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Best Monitor
- Best Office
- Notable Mentions
- Recent Updates
- All Reviews
- Comments
While getting a new monitor can cost a lot, there are still some good options for under $200. Although many monitors in this price range are basic and don't offer extra features you'd find on high-end models, some are still good enough for everyday use, even if you're a gamer. With the monitor market continuously growing, even cheap displays are starting to get some extra perks, but they still lag behind more expensive options in terms of performance.
There are a few factors to consider when looking for a monitor. Many options under $200 are available in a 24-inch screen size with a 1080p resolution. However, there's considerable variation among these monitors, and you must consider your needs and how you'll use it. For example, if you want the best gaming monitor under $200, it's important to get something with good motion handling, but versatile ergonomics are more important for work purposes, so there's no perfect solution for everyone.
We've bought and tested over 310 monitors, and below, you'll find our top picks for the best monitors that you can find for under $200. See our recommendations for the best budget and cheap gaming monitors, the best budget and cheap monitors, and if you're willing to stretch your budget a bit, the best gaming monitors under $300.
Note: We recently published our Test Bench 2.0, and we're in the process of updating our reviews to this new test bench. As such, it may seem that two similar monitors have very different scores, but scores aren't comparable between different test benches.
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Best Monitor Under $200
Mixed Usage7.3Office6.5Gaming8.4Media Consumption7.3Media Creation7.0HDR6.4Size27"Pixel TypeVAMax Refresh Rate170 HzNative Resolution2560 x 1440The best monitor under $200 is the Gigabyte GS27QC. While most monitors in this price range have a 1080p resolution, this one has an even higher 1440p resolution, resulting in a sharper image, making it the best gaming monitor under $200 and a decent choice for everyday use. It's limited in many extra features, which is what you have to expect for a low-cost display, but it still has a dedicated sRGB mode that results in great image accuracy before calibration.
It's mainly focused on gaming with a 165Hz native refresh rate that you can overclock to 170Hz, and while fast-moving objects don't appear too blurry, it has overshoot at lower refresh rates. It does have an optional backlight strobing feature to improve the appearance of motion, but it results in image duplication. Lastly, it has a VA panel that displays fairly deep blacks in dark rooms, but that means it has narrow viewing angles. If you prefer something with wider viewing angles, check out the ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A, though it's smaller and has a lower resolution display.
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Best Office Monitor Under $200
Mixed Usage6.5Office7.6Gaming6.3Media Consumption6.5Media Creation7.2HDR2.7Size24"Pixel TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate75 HzNative Resolution1920 x 1080If you're looking for something for office work, consider the ASUS VG246H. It doesn't have the same gaming features and performance as the Gigabyte GS27QC, so consider it only for work purposes; otherwise, stick with the Gigabyte if you want something versatile for both office and gaming use. It's better than the Gigabyte for office use because it has better ergonomics and wider viewing angles, making it easy to share your screen with others next to you as they'll see a consistent image from the sides. While the 24-inch size is smaller than our picks for the best office monitors, this is what you can expect if you want a low-cost office monitor, and this size is ideal if you want to use it in a multi-monitor setup.
Although it's a cheap monitor, it has an sRGB mode that's quite accurate before calibration, which is important if your work requires accurate colors. It also has very good reflection handling if you want to use it in a room with a few lights, but it doesn't get bright enough to fight intense glare.
Notable Mentions
- Dell G2724D: The Dell G2724D is a higher-end alternative to the Gigabyte GS27QC. The Dell has better brightness, viewing angles, and ergonomics, but it often costs more than $200. You can buy it directly through Dell's website. See our review
- Dell S2721HGF: The Dell S2721HGF is an alternative to the Gigabyte GS27QC if you want something that gets brighter, but it tends to cost more than $200. See our review
Recent Updates
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May 06, 2024: Replaced theĀ ASUS VG248QG with the Gigabyte GS27QC as the 'Best Monitor' for consistency with other articles and because of availability. Added the Dell G2724D and removed the LG 27MN60T-W and the MSI Optix G273 in the Notable Mentions.
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Mar 05, 2024: Removed the Gigabyte GS27QC because it's hard to find, and renamed the ASUS VG248QG as 'Best Monitor.'
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Jan 11, 2024: Replaced the Acer Nitro XF243Y Pbmiiprx with the Gigabyte GS27QC for consistency with other articles and because of availability; removed the MSI Optix G272 because it's hard to find; replaced the HP X24ih with the MSI Optix G273 in Notable Mentions.
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Nov 03, 2023: Added the Dell S2721HGF to Notable Mentions; updated text for clarity throughout.
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Sep 13, 2023: Made sure that the monitors mentioned are still available for purchase under $200, and changed the order of the categories to reflect how people are searching for monitors.
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best monitors that cost less than $200 that are available to purchase. They're adapted to be valid for most people. Rating is based on our review, factoring in price and feedback from our visitors.
If you would prefer to make your own decision, here is the list of all our reviews for monitors under $200. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. Most monitors are good enough to please most people, and the things we fault monitors on are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.