The 7 Best Gaming Monitor Under 200 You Can Get in 2021!

A poor gaming monitor will render a banger PC rig in vain. 

You need a good gaming monitor to goes along with a powerful gaming PC.

After all, your PC can’t get its 100+ fps graphics down on a 30Hz monitor. 

That’s why you need a high-performance monitor that will suit your rig.

Without further ado, here are the best gaming monitors under 200 that you can buy in 2021.

Asus VG248QG (Best Overall)

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Asus is a brand known for its outstanding performance per bucks. This monitor is just one example.

This gaming monitor 24 inches Full HD (1920×1080) display will show you a crisp and clear image. 

The refresh rate can reach 165 Hz, the highest among this price point.

With only 0.5 ms response time, it’s also the best among its class. 

On competitive gaming, any slight advantage in terms of refresh rate and response time is very crucial.

It can determine whether you win or lose.

Besides those fantastic specifications, Asus VG248QG brings many additional perks for gamers.

First of all, Asus Extreme Low Motion Blur technology makes the display looks sharp. 

You can enjoy immersive gaming with no more distractions.

Secondly, you won’t experience screen tearing and choppy frames with this monitor because it has Adaptive-Sync technology. 

Not only that, but it’s also G-Sync compatible, which makes this monitor perfect if you are using an Nvidia graphics card.

The Asus Eye Care feature will protect your eyes from aggressive colors. It also decreases eye fatigue so that you can focus on your game longer and better.

This monitor also has plenty of connectivity options, including dual-link DVI-D, DisplayPort 1.2, and HDMI (v1.4) port.

With all of those advantages I just mentioned above, Asus VG248QG is the best gaming monitor under 200 you can buy right now.

AOC C24G1A

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Since the age of tube monitors, AOC has been developing high-quality displays for gamers. 

AOC C24G1A is one of those high-quality displays.

The first time you see this monitor, you’ll notice that it’s frameless and curved.

This gaming monitor’s curved 24” LED VA screen makes it stands out from other flat-screen competitors. 

The curved screen on the AOC C24G1A will allow you to have a better field of view and immersive sensation of the game.

Further, you won’t waste any frames produced by your gaming PC as this monitor has a 165 Hz refresh rate.

Every frame will appear sharp and clear, making you forget about stutters and blurry images.

The AOC C24G1A also comes with AMD Freesync technology. 

This technology will help your monitor and your graphics card talk and synchronize to give you a stable frame rate and avoid screen tearing.

It also has only one millisecond (1 ms) of response time, which is very good for competitive gaming.

In the connectivity department, the AOC C24G1A also boasts a wide range of input. 

It has a 2x HDMI 2.0 port, 1x VGA port, and 1x DisplayPort 1.2 port.

AOC C24G1A is genuinely one of the best gaming monitors under 200 if you are looking for a curved monitor.

In fact, this monitor gets 4.7 ratings out of 5 from 21,000 people on Amazon.

MSI OPTIX G241

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If you are a gamer for quite some time, you might have heard about this brand with a dragon on its logo.

Known for its top-notch quality product, this MSI monitor is standard amongst e-sport gamers.

If you have ever been to an esports event in the past, most of the players will use an MSI gaming monitor.

The MSI OPTIX G241 is one of the best monitors under 200 you can buy today.

This gaming monitor comes with a full HD 24” IPS display with a 144 Hz refresh rate.

With the specification I mentioned above, you will definitely feel the advantage of having a good monitor when gaming.

Your gameplay will appear a lot smoother and crisper to your eyes, allowing you to aim better in FPS games.

The MSI OPTIX G241 also has a one millisecond response time, so you will not feel any delay during gaming.

The built-in AMD FreeSync technology will prevent screen tearing when gaming a fast-paced game.

It’s a solid gaming monitor for competitive games. 

So if you are on the market for a gaming monitor for your competitive gaming, the MSI OPTIX G241 should be on your radars.

Acer XFA240

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The next one on the list is the Acer XFA240.

This one is for you who don’t want a flashy gaming monitor that screams “GAMER” right in front of your face.

The Acer XFA240 sports a sleek and minimalist design that goes well with any desk setup.

Inside its neat and bold design, this 24-inch monitor packs a punch for your gaming PC.

Its 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution is ready to impress you with stunning high-quality images with outstanding details.

Thanks to the 144 Hz refresh rate, your gameplay will look much smoother. 

You can say bye-bye to wasted FPS.

You will also experience no delays because the Acer XFA240 has one millisecond of response time.

It also has both AMD FreeSync and G-Sync technology, meaning that no matter your graphics card, with the Acer XFA240, you will not see any screen tearing.

With all those technologies embedded into the gaming monitor, you will surely have a great gaming experience.

Furthermore, the monitor has a technology that can reduce eye strain and blue light called Acer Vision Care.

With this technology, you can game for a more extended hour comfortably.

Last but not least, the Acer XFA240 can rotate 90 degrees and has a wide viewing angle that will definitely help you find your most comfortable viewing angle.

Sold at just under $200, this is one of the best gaming monitors you can buy in the market in 2021.

Samsung CF390FHN

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This one from Samsung is for those looking for a bigger gaming display.

Priced at under $200, Samsung CF390FHN is too great of a deal to be missed.

This 27” Full HD Curved monitor will blow you away with how great it is for the price.

First of all, its 27-inch full HD curved display will make your gameplay looks fantastic on-screen.

Because this monitor has a curved screen, your gaming experience will be more immersive and realistic.

The monitor is also very thin, with only 11.9 mm in thickness.

Secondly, this monitor uses a VA panel capable of delivering high contrast, vivid colors, and sharp details that will be great for gaming.

Scanning the environment, spotting your enemy, and aiming is now easier with this panel.

Thirdly, this gaming monitor also comes with AMD FreeSync technology. 

With the AMD FreeSync embedded into this gaming monitor, you will not experience any screen tearing or ghosting whatsoever.

There is also Eye Saver Mode that eliminates flickering so that you can play more comfortably, even for an extended period.

It comes with HDMI and VGA port, either modern graphic card or analog. 

The only downside of this monitor is that it only comes with a 60 Hz refresh rate.

However, a 60 Hz refresh rate is perfect if you are playing a single-player game.

It is more than enough to enjoy all the graphical elements of your gameplay on this monitor.

With a price tag of below 200 USD, it is an excellent option for gamers everywhere.

BenQ EW2780

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The next one is also another 27-inch monitor.

If you prefer a bigger-sized display than the refresh rate, you will love the BenQ EW2780.

It has a big 27-inch screen with a thin bezel around, which is just beautiful. 

The BenQ EW2780 comes with a 75Hz, IPS display panel that makes it perfect for gaming, especially on a budget.

With an IPS display, you will be able to see a broader range of colors.

It also has a great viewing angle, so you can adjust your monitor to fit you perfectly.

What we love, though, about the BenQ EW2780 is a technology called HDRi.

HDRi is an intelligent feature inside this gaming monitor that will allow you to see HDR images more stunning and clearer.

With HDRi, the BenQ EW2780 will automatically adjust contrast and brightness so that you can have HDR-like images.

It will enhance your gaming experience by making your gameplay more immersive and vivid.

The BenQ EW2780 also comes with AMD FreeSync to help you eliminate screen tearing.

With the 75Hz refresh rate, we believe the BenQ EW2780 is perfect for games with good graphics like Tomb Raider or Horizon Zero Dawn.

For a price of less than $200, the BenQ EW2780 is perfect for single-player gamers looking for the best gaming monitor under 200.

ViewSonic VA2756-MHD (The Budget Option)

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Last but not least, the budget option for those who want to save some bucks.

ViewSonic VA2756-MHD is the budget option for the best gaming monitor under 200.

The brand itself, ViewSonic, is famous for bringing the budget option to the market.

The ViewSonic VA2756-MHD is one of them.

The ViewSonic VA2756-MHD is a 27-inch gaming monitor with a Full HD IPS display.

With those specs, you will be able to enjoy your gameplay to the fullest with excellent color and clarity.

The full HD display will ensure you can see all the pixels clearly, and the IPS display will help you see greater colors.

Although the ViewSonic VA2756-MHD is a budget option, it also comes with Flicker-Free technology and a Blue Light Filter to help you play longer.

What we like about this gaming monitor is that it also comes in different screen sizes.

You can get the 24-inch version for under $150 and 22-inch for under $130.

The only drawback this gaming monitor has is that it only comes with a 60Hz refresh rate.

But hey, that is more than enough for a budget option.

What Should I Look for When Buying a Gaming Monitor?

There are various monitors on the market. 

Some are marketed as gaming, while others don’t have that gaming label. 

But does it matter? What makes a monitor is good for gaming?

Here are some things you should look for when buying a gaming monitor for your gaming PC or gaming laptop

Screen Resolution

The monitor comes with various resolutions. 

The bigger the screen, the more resolution it needs to have a clear picture

Resolution is the number of pixels that your monitor can display. 

It’s often represented on width x height.

For example 1,920 x 1,080 resolution means, it’s capable of showing 1,920 pixels width and 1,080 pixel height.

The bigger the resolution, the better it is for clarity and details. 

However, it means your graphic card and processor will work harder to render the image.

If your graphic card is not powerful enough to run a high-resolution game, you may drop the game resolution output. 

So, make sure you already have a solid GPU to run the high-resolution monitor.

The bottom line:

Buy a gaming monitor suitable for your GPU. If your GPU can produce 4K gameplay, you might want to buy a 4K monitor and vice versa.

Refresh Rate

A gaming monitor’s refresh rate refers to the monitor ability to 

to update frames or images shown on the screen for one second.

It is measured in Hz.

For example:

A refresh rate of 60 Hz means that the monitor can update the image or frames 60 times in a single second.

The higher the refresh rate, the smoother your gameplay will appear, and vice versa.

In 2021, your gaming monitor should have at least a 60 Hz refresh rate.

This is because anything below 60 Hz will not give you a satisfying gaming experience.

Your gameplay will appear choppy and not smooth.

Plus, most of the consoles also put 60 Hz as their standard in 2021.

However, if you have more budget, it will always be good to spend on a higher refresh rate gaming monitor.

In fact, if you enjoy playing competitive games like Fortnite, Call of Duty, and other fast-paced games, we suggest you opt for at least a 144 Hz gaming monitor.

In a nutshell, higher FPS and higher refresh rate will give you a competitive advantage in those games.

We have talked extensively about it in this post, so you might want to check them out.

The bottom line:

Choose a gaming monitor with at least 60 Hz for a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience in 2021.

Also read: How Many FPS is good for Gaming in 2021?

Response Time

Response time is the time a gaming monitor needed to shift from one color to another.

It is usually measured in milliseconds (ms).

For example:

If your gaming monitor has a response time of 10 ms, that means your gaming monitor will take 10 ms to change from one color to another.

This will be crucial to gaming because the slower the monitor, the more likely you will experience blurriness and image lags.

How fast your monitor can show real images will determine how fast you can react to the game.

We believe you should aim to have a gaming monitor with a response time of less than 5 ms in 2021.

The bottom line:

In the world of competitive gaming, every ms matters. 

So the faster the response time (the smaller the number), the better it is for gaming.

Panel type

There are various panel types available in the market, from Twisted Nematic (TN), In-Plane Switching (IPS), and Vertical alignment (VA).

Twisted Nematic (TN)

The TN panel is the oldest, but it’s still popular until now for one main reason:

Many gamers like it for its high refresh rate while still being cheaper.

In fact, you can get a 144 Hz gaming monitor with a TN panel very cheap in 2021.

The drawback of TN is that the colors are weak and flat. 

Typically the cheap TN monitor also has low contrast ratios, around 1000:1.

According to our experience, most in the market are pretty dull and bland in terms of color reproduction.

However, if you play strictly competitive gaming, a TN panel might be suitable for you.

After all, in games like CS: GO and Call of Duty, colors will not matter as much as your reflects and skills.

In-Plane Switching (IPS)

You will be amazed by the color performance of an IPS screen panel. 

The IPS panel is known for the best color and vibrance.

Having the most extensive color gamut, the color representation will dazzle you. 

That’s why this panel type is often used for TV and digital cinema.

It also tends to have the biggest viewing angle reaching up to 178 degrees.

However, the refresh rate, response time, and input latency are typically the lowest compared to other panels.

This makes an IPS panel is more expensive than the other two panels.

If you need an IPS panel with a high refresh rate and low response time, be prepared to break your bank.

Another drawback is that the IPS panel tends to diminish dark details. 

Hence, an image that is black or dark dominant often shows inaccurately.

This panel suits you who plays a story-based game or couch local co-op. 

But if you can find one with an excellent frame rate at a reasonable price, it’s an awesome deal!

Vertical Alignment (VA)

Many refer to VA as the great all-around. 

It’s a win-win compromise between color and speed.

It may have one or two ms slower than a TN panel, but it’s still faster than IPS. 

Unlike IPS, VA has better dark details.

VA panel is best for its contrast, reaching 3000:1 and even 5000:1. For this reason, many recent TV use type of panel.

If you are looking for an all-around monitor, a VA panel is right for you.

G-Sync, FreeSync, Adaptive-Sync

As we said before, you have to look at your gaming PC or laptop specifications before buying a gaming monitor. 

Some monitors have a technology that can synchronize your monitor’s refresh rate with the frame rate from your pc.

That technology will help you eliminate screen-tearing so that you can experience better immersion and sensation from your gaming session.

One thing you want to focus on is your graphics card of choice.

Different brands will have a different names for this technology.

For example:

Nvidia called their technology G-Sync, and AMD called their technology FreeSync.

Some monitors will have both of this technology embedded inside the monitor.

The bottom line is you want to buy a monitor that has compatible technology with your graphics card.

For instance, if your gaming rig uses an Nvidia graphics card, you want to buy a monitor with G-Sync technology in it.

It is all so that you can have a pleasant gaming experience without screen-tearing or other bugs.

Is 24 or 27 Better for Gaming?

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It depends. Although the difference is only 3-inch, 24-inch and 27-inch have more differences than that.

First, of course, the price will be different.

You can buy an excellent 24-inch monitor way cheaper than a 27-inch monitor.

Secondly, a 27-inch monitor will milk your graphics card harder to produce a higher resolution image.

But if you have the money and the budget, we always suggest new gamers to cop a 27-inch gaming monitor.

With a 27-inch gaming monitor, you can see more information on the screen, making it better for gaming.

You will have a more fantastic time playing games because everything looks clearer and sharper because of the monitor size.

The bottom line:

When it comes to gaming, the bigger, wider, 27-inch gaming monitor will always be better. While 24-inch monitors are great for gaming, they are no match for a 27-inch monitor, which will give you a much better gaming experience. 

What is a Good Cheap Monitor for Gaming?

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There is a lot of good but cheap monitor for gaming in 2021.

Due to technological advancement, a good gaming monitor is not as expensive as a couple of years ago.

We believe that $200 is a good baseline for a good cheap monitor for gaming.

Based on our test, the Asus VG248QG that we mentioned above is an excellent choice for a good cheap monitor for gaming.

With the price of just under $200, you get a 24-inch, Full HD display with a 165 Hz refresh rate that is perfect for gaming.

It is G-sync and FreeSync compatible with only 0.5 ms in response time.

Furthermore, the Asus VG248QG also receives 4.7 ratings out of 5 from 2,400 people on Amazon, proving that it is indeed a solid pick.

You can get the best deal for the Asus VG248QG by clicking the button below.

Is 144Hz Good for Gaming?

Yes, 144Hz is very good for gaming, especially if your PC can produce 144 FPS for the game you play.

Although we mentioned in another article that 60 FPS is the minimum standard for gaming in 2021, you can gain a significant advantage if you play with 144 FPS and a 144Hz gaming monitor.

In fact, 99% of e-sports players use a 144 Hz gaming monitor.

Another study by Nvidia mentioned that players with higher FPS have a better kill to death ratio.

So if you play competitive games like CS: GO or Fortnite or Call of Duty, you should aim to get a 144 Hz monitor.

That being said, getting 144 FPS is not easy.

You will need powerful hardware to produce that many FPS.

So 144 Hz only good if you actually have the budget to buy all the necessary hardware.

If you don’t have the budget, you should always aim to get a 60 Hz display.

It is the standard in today’s gaming that will not sacrifice a lot of competitive advantage.

If you want to learn more about refresh rate and FPS for gaming in 2021, you can check out our ultimate guide about how many FPS do you need for gaming in 2021.

Do I Want a Curved Monitor?

Well, we have talked about whether getting a curved monitor is good for gaming.

In a nutshell, you want a curved monitor if you are looking for a more immersive gameplay experience.

If you play many games with stunning graphics, you want to have a curved monitor.

Games like Horizon Zero Dawn or Monster Hunter World will benefit from a curved monitor.

The curved part of the monitors will surround your field of view and will make you feel like you are dropped right in the middle of the game.

That being said, there are some disadvantages to getting a curved gaming monitor.

First of all, they are more expensive than a flat monitor.

If you have a very strict budget, you want to avoid curved monitors.

Secondly, you will need a large monitor to start reaping the benefits of a curved monitor.

We’d say that you should at least get a 27-inch curved monitor to experience the benefits of a curved gaming monitor.

This will, of course, increase your cost even more.

Last but not least, a curved monitor often comes with a lower refresh rate and response time.

So if you play many competitive games, you want to avoid getting a curved monitor.

To learn more in-depth about curved monitors, read our post titled: Are Curved Monitors Good for Gaming?

Final Words

With technological advancement, you can now get a good gaming monitor for under $200.

Here are 7 of the best gaming monitor under 200 you can get on the market today.

However, getting a gaming monitor is not an easy task.

You need to make sure you know your PC capability and what kind of monitor will suit that.

You want to focus on many things like resolution and refresh rate.

With this guide, we hope you can have an easier time getting a gaming monitor under 200 that’s perfect for you.

If you have other recommendations that we should add to this list or have something to say about this list, let us know by leaving a quick comment below.

About the Author
Hi, I'm Steve. I'm a proud gamer. I have been active within the gaming sphere for 30+ years. As gaming is something I enjoy very much, I want other people to enjoy it also. That is exactly why I started this blog.

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