Gaming monitors have come a long way in recent years when it comes to both performance and affordability. While top-of-the-line models still demand premium prices, today‘s budget monitors are capable of meeting many gamers‘ needs without breaking the bank. This guide will explore five of the best gaming monitors currently available for under $300.
Why Choose a Gaming Monitor Under $300?
Gaming monitors in the budget range have seen remarkable improvements that make them viable options for a wide swath of gamers:
Latest Display Technologies: Budget monitors now incorporate high refresh rates up to 240Hz, fast response times (1ms), adaptive sync, HDR, and wide color gamuts for excellent all-around gaming performance.
Premium Features: Models come equipped with gamer-centric enhancements like crosshairs, on-screen frame rate counters, genre-specific display profiles, and variable backlight strobing.
Suitable Visual Fidelity: Resolutions up to 2560 x 1440 along with vibrant IPS panel types provide stunning visuals that meet most gamers‘ standards.
Future-Proof Compatibility: FreeSync and G-Sync compatibility ensures smooth variable refresh rate (VRR) gaming for years to come.
For around $300, today‘s budget selection offers a sweet spot combining solid gaming specs, premium extras, and modern connectivity at reasonable prices. Casual and even mid-core gamers no longer need to break the bank for a quality gaming experience.
How We Picked the Best Gaming Monitors Under $300
In determining the best gaming monitors under $300, we used the following evaluation criteria:
Gaming Performance: The most important factor, analyzing refresh rate, response times, input lag, VRR implementation, motion handling, and color performance for gaming.
Visual Quality: Assessing panel type, brightness, contrast ratio, viewing angles, color reproduction, backlight quality, and resolution.
Features: Reviewing gaming-centric extras like crosshairs, Black Equalizer modes, genre-specific profiles, variable backlight strobing, ambient lighting, ergonomic design, and OSD quality.
Connectivity: HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 inputs for current and future gaming sources. USB ports for convenience.
Design: Build quality, adjustability, and aesthetics for desktop placement. VESA mounting potential for versatility.
Value & Reviews: Ensuring recommended picks provide a great all-around experience relative to their affordable selling point and positive community reception.
Balancing these elements, we singled out the best all-around options as well as monitors tailored for specific gaming resolutions, panel technologies, and genres.
The 5 Best Gaming Monitors Under $300
Overall Pick: ASUS TUF VG259QM
Standout Features:
- Rapid 280Hz refresh rate
- Fast IPS response times (1ms GtG)
- G-Sync and FreeSync Premium support
- Ergonomic stand with tilt, swivel and height adjust
Gaming Performance: With a blazing 280Hz refresh rate, low input lag, and superb response times, the ASUS TUF VG259QM delivers an exceptional fast-paced gaming experience free of distracting visual tearing and artifacts.
Visuals: Its 24.5" IPS panel produces vibrant colors and wide viewing angles. The Full HD resolution meets the visual demands of esports and competitive gaming.
Features & Design: Gamers will appreciate the fully-adjustable stand, ambient RGB lighting, crosshair overlay, genre-specific display profiles, and built-in FPS counter. The robust build quality and mesh aesthetic matches well with other TUF components.
Pros: Extremely responsive for fast-paced competitive gaming, vibrant IPS colors, premium features for gaming, adjustable stand
Cons: No HDR support, 1080p resolution won‘t leverage high-end GPUs
Overall: A superb pick prioritizing lightning-fast refresh rate and response times for esports and multiplayer genres.
Runner-Up: MSI Optix G273QPF
Standout Features:
- 165Hz refresh rate with FreeSync Premium Pro
- Rapid IPS panel with 1ms response time
- Crisp WQHD 1440p resolution
- RGB accent lighting
Gaming Performance: With FreeSync Premium Pro certification and a 165Hz refresh rate, the Optix G273QPF delivers superbly smooth variable refresh rate gaming. Its fast IPS panel handles fast motion well.
Visuals: Its 27" screen size paired with a 2560 x 1440 resolution provides added screen real estate perfect for immersive RPGs and shooters. Vibrant and accurate colors complete the visual experience.
Features & Design: The unique RGB lighting ring on the back accentuates any gaming setup. Genre-specific display profiles allow customization for different games. Fully height adjustable stand.
Pros: Excellent mid-range price, vibrant WQHD visuals, height adjustable stand, good feature set
Cons: Refresh rate not as fast as premium monitors
Overall: A well-rounded WQHD gaming monitor packing great gaming performance into a streamlined package.
Best HDR: Monoprice Dark Matter 27
Standout Features:
- VESA DisplayHDR 400 certified
- 1500R curved VA panel
- AMD FreeSync support
- Generous port selection and ergonomic stand
Gaming Performance: With a high 1500R curve for immersion, FreeSync VRR to eliminate tearing, and superb contrast for inky blacks, the Monoprice Dark Matter brings games to life. Its 144Hz refresh rate keeps up with fast gaming.
Visuals: Its VA panel technology enables 3000:1 contrast for vibrant, cinematic colors. With HDR engaged, brightness can reach dazzling peaks showcasing gaming visuals.
Features & Design: Packed with connectivity like a USB 3.0 hub and headphone jack. Fully adjustable stand, thin bezels, and subtle red accents complete the modern gaming look.
Pros: High contrast and deep blacks, accurate and vibrant colors, great HDR implementation, fully adjustable stand
Cons: 4ms response time not quite as fast as premium counterparts
Overall: Cinematic, vivid imaging in an affordable curved HDR package.
Best Ultrawide: MSI Optix G341CQR
Standout Features:
- Expansive 34" 21:9 ultrawide 1500R display
- UWQHD 3440 x 1440 resolution
- 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time
- Two HDMI and one DisplayPort input
Gaming Performance While many premium ultrawides still demand higher prices, the Optix G341CQR delivers an engrossing curved ultrawide presentation with theperformance expected from high-refresh rate gaming monitors.
Visuals: The 34-inch diagonal paired with a sharp UWQHD resolution provides ample on-screen real estate to immerse gamers in their favorite titles. Its VA panel produces 3000:1 native contrast.
Features & Design: Aesthetics wise, this monitor brings clean lines and symmetric uniform bezels for a streamlined look. The stand offers tilt adjustment while 100mm VESA mounting expands placement options.
Pros: Engrossing ultrawide field of view, high resolution, 144Hz with FreeSync , subtle feature set
Cons: Lacking extras like USB ports or HDR capabilities
Overall: An affordable entry point into immersive ultrawide gaming
Best 240Hz: Alienware AW2521HFL
Standout Features:
- Lightning-fast 240Hz refresh rate
- Speedy IPS panel with 1ms GtG response time
- NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro
- Legendary Alienware aesthetic w/ RGB lighting
Gaming Performance: This monitor was built for speed. With a 240Hz refresh rate, impeccable response metrics, and VRR support, frames transition instantly for a true real-time gaming experience.
Visuals: Its 24.5” IPS screen provides vibrant images although limited to a 1080p resolution. A shiny three-sided anti-glare coating improves clarity.
Features & Design: AlienFX RGB lighting and the stand’s iconic shapes will resonate with Alienware fans. Fully adjustable stand, headphone hanger and extensive input connectivity add functionality.
Pros: Lightning fast refresh perfect for esports, IPS visuals, iconic Alienware design w/ RGB
Cons: 1080p resolution leaves performance headroom for powerful GPUs
Overall: The ultimate monitor for competitive esports and multiplayer genres if you can afford the premium.
What to Look for In Gaming Monitors Under $300
Even spending under $300, you can net a capable gaming monitor so long as you focus on the right specifications and features. Here is an overview of factors to consider:
Screen Size: For desktop gaming, aim for 24" to 27" models. Larger monitors may demand you sit uncomfortably close. Ultrawides provide added horizontal space.
Resolution: 1080p is common in this price range, sufficient for fast gaming. 1440p resolution offers more screen real estate if GPU budget allows.
Refresh Rate: Competitive genres demand 144Hz+ rates for perfectly smooth visuals. Opt for 240Hz models if playing esports titles.
Response Times: Sub-2ms response times eliminate distracting smears during fast motion. IPS panels typically see 5ms times which is fine for slower genres.
Variable Refresh Rate: FreeSync and G-Sync compatibility prevent screen tearing by matching the monitor’s refresh rate to the GPU’s frame rate.
Panels: VA panels offer superb contrast while TN panels prioritize response times. IPS strikes an excellent balance.
HDR Capabilities: Many sub-$300 models meet basic HDR standards like HDR10 support. Some achieve certified VESA DisplayHDR 400 for noticeably improved contrast and colors when HDR kicks in.
The State of Budget Gaming Monitors
Gaming monitors aimed at budget-minded gamers have come incredibly far in recent years. Sub-$300 models can compete with premium offerings from just a few years ago. Lightning-fast refresh rates up to 280Hz were unheard of at this price bracket. Response times continue to dip down to 1ms levels across LCD technologies.
IPS panels are now affordable offerings capable of keeping up with frenetic multiplayer shooters thanks to rapid response metrics. Esports-caliber monitors extending down into the budget category were dominated by TN panel tradeoffs until recently. Resolution support has also increased with 2560 x 1440 monitors steadily replacing 1920 x 1080 models as the new standard.
High dynamic range is no longer exclusive to expensive monitors either. Many budget monitors can now meet basic VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification requirements by supporting HDR10 signals and reaching 400 nits peak brightness. This allows enhanced contrast, whites, and detail from supported games.
Expect rapid advancement to continue going forward. Analysts predict 1440p ultrawides will dominate the budget space by 2025. We‘ll also likely see the first 360Hz monitors break the sub-$300 barrier as well as increasing adoption of mini-LED backlights.
Key Considerations When Buying a Budget Gaming Monitor
Keep this advice in mind when evaluating affordable gaming displays:
Prioritize gaming performance over visual bells & whistles High refresh rates and fast response times directly impact gaming experience so make sure a monitor meets demands of genres played first before resolution or panel type.
Plan monitor size based on viewing distance Avoid neck strain and eye fatigue by choosing gaming monitor sizes that match your room setup and seating position. Angle screen directly towards face.
Leave room to grow on resolution Picking 1440p on a lower budget means you can upgrade GPU power later and better leverage the monitor’s capabilities over time. Games demand ever more resources.
Stick to reputable gaming brands Lesser known manufacturers often cut corners negatively impacting gaming performance, visual quality, or build quality. Research companies first and read professional reviews.
Think beyond your current gaming system Consider newer features like HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 even if your current GPU lacks compatibility. Your next system can take full advantage.
Wrapping Up
The realm of sub-$300 gaming monitors has truly entered a golden age. Cutting edge visual technologies like 280Hz refresh rates, 1ms response times, QHD 1440p resolutions, and HDR 400 support are now attainable at reasonable price points. Both casual and seriously competitive gamers can reap superb gaming experiences on a budget.
We hope this guide gives you confidence in picking your next affordable gaming monitor without compromising gaming immersion or performance. Let us know if you have any other questions as new options arrive on shelves through 2024 and beyond!
