Whether you’re building a budget gaming system or just want to save on peripherals, there are many affordable monitor options you can consider. However, buying a monitor can be challenging. You must take into account several factors, such as the monitor’s size, resolution, refresh rate, response time, and image quality.
If you have to stick to a low budget, you must also decide which of these features are the most important to you.
With so many models out there and so many specs to compare, finding the right monitor can be daunting. To narrow down options and save some time, check out our ranking for the best gaming monitors under $300.
- #1 Best Overall: MSI Optix G32CQ4 E2
- Best for ASUS Systems: ASUS ROG Strix 27”
- Best 4K: Philips 276E8VJSB
- Best 21:9: Sceptre C305B-200UN1 30-inch Curved Gaming Monitor
- Best Budget-Friendly: Dell G2422HS
#1 Best Overall: MSI Optix G32CQ4 E2
- 1500R curvature
- 32" QHD display
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- Non-glare
- Super narrow bezel
- 1ms
- 2560 x 1440
- 170Hz
- Refresh rate
- Tilt adjustment
- AMD FreeSync
- Black
With a decent resolution and excellent size, the MSI Optix G32CQ4 E2 is the best gaming monitor under $300 for competitive and casual gaming alike.
Its greatest advantage is its ultrawide size. This monitor measures 32 inches diagonally, which, when paired with the curved design, gives the illusion of an even wider view. Thanks to these factors, this MSI monitor can provide a truly thrilling gaming experience.
Despite its ultrawide design, the monitor maintains a 16:9 aspect ratio. This is the aspect ratio used by most competitive gaming platforms and it offers compatibility with most games, whether you’re a competitive gamer or playing just for fun.
A wide color gamut and WQHD 2K resolution deliver excellent image quality, while the 170Hz refresh rate ensures smooth transitions during fast-moving scenes. The main disappointment is the brightness, but the non-glare screen makes it easy to see the details in most light conditions. Another letdown is the stand that has some tilt but isn’t height-adjustable.
Fortunately, the monitor comes with a VESA mount, so you can install it on a wall or use it with another stand.
Check it out on Amazon here.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The monitor’s curvature increases the field of view for a more immersive gaming experience. | This monitor’s maximum brightness is 250 nits. |
| The 16:9 aspect ratio is compatible with most games. | |
| The WQHD resolution (2560 x 1440 pixels) and wide color gamut provide high image quality. |
Best for ASUS Systems: ASUS ROG Strix 27”
- 27" 1080p Full HD IPS 175Hz display
- 1ms
- Extreme Low Motion Blur
- FreeSync Premium technology
- DisplayPort
- HDMI
- Tripod socket for webcam
- Display HDR 400
- Black
If you’re a fan of ASUS gaming computers and want a budget monitor, the ASUS ROG Strix 27” is your best option under $300.
When paired with an ASUS system, its greatest highlight is the exclusive GamePlus hotkey. This key offers in-game enhancements, allowing you to practice and improve your gaming skills. For instance, you can use this key to manage the monitor’s frames per second, the display alignment, or select the crosshair type that best suits your gaming environment.
While the monitor isn’t curved, at 27 inches diagonally, it can provide a wide enough field of view. Similar to the MSI monitor, it has a high refresh rate of 170Hz, dynamic contrast, and a fast IPS gray-to-gray response time that eliminates smearing and motion blurs.
Other highlights include a wide color gamut, 16:9 aspect ratio, and AMD FreeSync compatibility with overclocking and HDR support. As with most monitors, this model needs calibration for best accuracy, but configuring it can be frustrating.
See it for yourself on Amazon here.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The fast IPS response eliminates smearing and motion blur, improving the image quality. | This monitor is challenging to configure and calibrate. |
| The 170Hz refresh rate ensures smooth transitions. | |
| This monitor supports overclocking and HDR. |
Best 4K: Philips 276E8VJSB
- 27" 4K UHD IPS display
- 1 billion+ colors
- Ultranarrow borders
- Low blue
- Multi-view
- 4-year advance replacement warranty
The Philips 276E8VJSB is one of the best monitors for single-player, story-driven games with a high level of visual detail.
Its main advantage is the 4K resolution, but this monitor is also one of the best as far as color accuracy goes. Philips uses 10-bit color technology for this display, which translates to life-like color reproduction and color depth.
This feature makes the monitor ideal for gaming but also for graphic designing and other creative purposes.
A wide viewing angle allows you to use the monitor in multi-display setups, while the MultiView technology enables a dual-connect function you can use to connect the monitor and work on multiple devices (such as a desktop PC and a laptop) simultaneously.
Gaming-wise, the model’s major downside is the refresh rate of only 60Hz. That’s ideal for most story-driven games but insufficient for action-packed scenes.
Check it out here.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The 4K resolution and 10-bit color technology deliver high-quality visuals. | A low refresh rate makes this monitor less suitable for action-packed games. |
| The 178-degree viewing angle enables you to use the monitor in multi-monitor setups. | |
| You can connect the monitor and work on multiple devices simultaneously. |
Best 21:9: Sceptre C305B-200UN1
- 30-inch 2560 x 1080p 200Hz 21:9 display
- Ultra Wide/Slim
- HDMI, DisplayPort
- Built-in speakers
- Metal speakers
If you don’t care much about competitive gaming but would rather see as much of the battlefield as you can, the Sceptre C305B-200UN1 could be the best gaming monitor for you.
This monitor is a good choice for action-rich single-player games. Its 21:9 aspect ratio shows more of the battlefield at once, making it easier to spot traps and enemies. However, considering that most competitive games are limited to a 16:9 aspect ratio, this model might not suit pro players.
That said, this 30-inch curved monitor has other interesting pros. We particularly appreciate the 200Hz refresh rate, which provides smooth transitions. Another highlight is the high dynamic range (HDR), which improves the contrast ratio and increases the amount of details visible in dark scenes and shadows.
You might not get a full-color gamut, but 99% sRGB is enough for most purposes. The monitor also includes a Blue Light Shift function that reduces blue light to prevent eye strain.
This monitor’s greatest downside is the stand, which is not the most stable or practical. Unfortunately, you can’t change it, as the model isn’t VESA-compliant.
You can find it on Amazon here.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| At 30 inches diagonally and with a 21:9 aspect ratio, this monitor allows you to see more of the battlefield at a glance. | The monitor is incompatible with VESA stands or mounts, and the stand it comes with is not the most stable. |
| The high dynamic range and wide color gamut provide clear images. | |
| This monitor has one of the highest refresh rates, 200Hz. |
Best Budget-Friendly: Dell G2422HS
- 24" 165Hz Full HD IPS 1920 x 1080p display
- 1ms response time
- AMD FreeSync
- 99% sRGB color gamut
- NVIDIA G-Sync compatible
- HDMI, DisplayPort
- Black
At 24 inches diagonally, the Dell G2422HS Gaming Monitor is one of the best options for casual gamers on a budget.
The monitor is wide enough to ensure an immersive gaming experience while fitting on a small desk. Its IPS panel supports 99% sRGB color gamut and, combined with the FHD resolution, maintains consistent colors and stunning image clarity, regardless of your viewing angle.
The 165Hz refresh rate provides smooth transitions for all kinds of games, including sports, action, and combat. This model’s only problem is the brightness — the display panel is brighter in the middle and darker around the edges. The contrast is also a bit of a letdown.
However, if you can settle for dark gray rather than black and don’t really mind inconsistent brightness, this model can save you a buck.
Find it on Amazon right here.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This gaming monitor is compact enough to fit on a small desk. | Brightness and contrast are not great. |
| A refresh rate of 165Hz is fast enough for action-rich games. | |
| The panel supports a wide color gamut and displays clear images. |
©Ivan Acedo/Shutterstock.com
How to Pick the Best Gaming Monitor Under $300: Step-by-Step
When choosing a gaming monitor, there are five main considerations for most buyers.
- Screen size
- Resolution
- Refresh rate
- Panel type
- Build quality
Let’s see how each of these factors can impact your decision-making.
Screen Size
When choosing a gaming monitor, many people make the mistake of thinking a larger screen is the best choice. However, this is not necessarily true.
Depending on your desk size, you’ll generally sit three to four feet from the monitor. If the monitor is too big, this distance is too short to allow you to see the entire image displayed on the screen. You’ll have to move your eyes a lot, which could lead to eye strain.
For this reason, a 24-inch to 27-inch monitor is ideal for desktop gamers. Things change if you want to connect a gaming console to a monitor mounted on a wall. In this case, if you can sit at an adequate distance, an ultrawide monitor with a diagonal of 30 inches or larger is often better suited for your needs.
Resolution
Similar to the screen size, a high resolution is not always better. Sure, the visuals of 4K gaming are more vibrant and crisp than sub-4K resolutions, but these monitors are typically more expensive than FHD or QHD models.
Cheap 4K monitors have low refresh rates, and this factor makes them unsuitable for action games, including sports, racing, and combat games. However, if you play story-driven games and don’t need a high refresh rate, an affordable 4K monitor could improve your gaming experience.
Refresh Rate
A monitor’s refresh rate tells you how many times per second the display refreshes the image. A 120Hz monitor, for example, refreshes the image 120 times per second. This number ultimately determines how smoothly motion appears on your screen. A low refresh rate could result in unsmooth transitions, resulting in stutters or lags.
These monitors can support simple or story-driven games, but playing a motion-rich game on such a model can be frustrating. If you mostly play action games, consider a monitor with a refresh rate of at least 120Hz and preferably 144Hz or more.
Panel Type
There are two main types of monitor panels: IPS and TN. IPS panels offer wider viewing angles and more accurate color reproduction than TN panels, so they are considered the ultimate choice in gaming monitors. However, they are also more expensive than TN panels.
To keep costs low, manufacturers save on other technologies when using IPS panels in budget gaming monitors, and the feature to suffer is almost always the refresh rate. If you’re a competitively-mind gamer, a TN monitor with a high refresh rate is almost always a better choice than an IPS panel with a low refresh rate.
Build Quality
Budget gaming monitors are usually made with lower-quality materials, so an important thing to check before buying is the build quality. The buttons shouldn’t feel flimsy, and the stand should have at least a tilt function (most budget monitors don’t have height-adjustable stands) and a VESA mount that allows you to install the monitor on a wall or replace the original stand with another VESA-compatible model.
What to Know Before Buying a Gaming Monitor Under $300
Good gaming monitors don’t have to be expensive. Many models under $300 provide a satisfactory refresh rate and response time. They are wide, have at least Full HD resolution, and have a wide color gamut — factors that ensure a high image quality.
However, budget gaming monitors have fewer bells and whistles than mid-range and top-tier models. For instance, configuring and calibrating the display is often less intuitive compared to high-end monitors. Budget monitors also have fewer ports than expensive monitors.
Most gaming monitors under $300 come with standard stands that are not height-adjustable. Some don’t have a tilt function either, which can be limiting.
While the vast majority of models are compatible with VESA mounts, that’s not a universal truth. If you want to replace the stand or mount the monitor on a wall, check the model’s VESA compliance before buying.
Using a Gaming Monitor Under $300: What It’s Like
Once calibrated, using a gaming monitor under $300 is like using an expensive gaming monitor. As long as you’re happy with the display’s resolution, color gamut, brightness, and contrast, a budget monitor won’t disappoint you. However, most budget monitors are challenging to configure.
In most cases, it is difficult to find the right balance between brightness and contrast. Some panels have a narrow color gamut, so the colors in your game might seem a bit off until you get used to them.
Most monitors with a high resolution have lower refresh rates, so you might have to settle for a lower resolution if you play motion-rich games.
Once you get used to all these nuisances, a budget gaming monitor just might fulfill all your needs!
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock.com.
