When I first began playing games, I had just graduated, so I had little money to spend on a gaming monitor. Due to my lack of experience, I could not locate a nice one at a reasonable price then. There wasn’t much genuine advice and guidance to help me choose the best one for me. Additionally, monitor technology was constantly evolving. However, there are currently a number of inexpensive monitors on the market that nonetheless offer a great gaming experience. After having a lot of expertise with gaming monitors, I have tested and put together a list of best gaming monitors under $100 for you so your hard earned money is invested at the right spot.
How we tested monitors?
Testing the gaming monitors requires looking into different aspects. Believe me, it’s a rigorous process and takes a lot of time. It takes a lot of experience, thorough product research, practically testing specification of each monitor by using it, collecting reviews of experienced gamers and taking their feedback. After going through this whole process, we finalise the most outstanding of all under $100. So, you can enjoy selecting and purchasing one of them with confidence.
Things to consider before purchasing a gaming monitor
Purchasing a monitor can be tricky if you are not professional. Specially for first time buyers it can become a hard task. But there’s no need to worry as we introduce you to specific terms you should know before buying the monitor. Thus, this way you would be able to understand what essential factors you need to look at when shopping for a gaming monitor. Also, you would be able to better explain your needs to yourself by knowing these things and get very clear what exactly what wants from your monitor.
Refresh rate
The refresh rate of your display indicates how frequently it can draw a new image in a second. Because of this, it matters for the functionality of your monitor. Although 144 Hz is the ideal refresh rate, it can be as low as 60 Hz if it performs better. Even though 360 Hz is generally considered a decent pace, 120 Hz will result in better results than you had anticipated. Therefore, always consider the monitor’s refresh rate while choosing the finest one for you. A 165Hz display will have somewhat better visual quality, but it will also tax your system more.
Response time
Response time is the amount of time pixels take to change from one color to the next. Because quick transitions are necessary in the games, response speed is crucial. Although most displays on the market have respectable response times, you won’t have many problems with this.
Resolution
To put it simply, resolution refers to how many pixels may make up a screen. The resolutions available are 1366 x 768, 1920 x 1080, 1440 x 900, and 1536 x 864. Therefore, you must decide which resolution, out of the two, you prefer. The quality of the photograph will increase with increased resolution. Here, it’s important to remember that as your screen size grows, so will its resolution. Otherwise, the image you receive will be hazy or unclear.
Therefore, 1920*1080p is the perfect resolution for a 24 inch screen. It is 2560*1440p for a 27-inch FHD monitor. To avoid having a poor viewing experience, avoid buying a monitor with a huge screen and low resolution.
Related: What is Resolution of Monitor?
Panel type
There are three types of panels in monitors. These are:
- IPS
- TN
- VA
IPS
The InterPlane Switching (IPS) panel is more concerned with the contrast and color of the display than with its speed. IPS panels are used more frequently for color-sensitive tasks like editing images and videos and viewing media.
TN
The Twisted Nematic Panel, also known as the TN panel, emphasizes on speedy response times at the expense of color fidelity. TN panels are commonly utilized in inexpensive displays because they are easier to use and respond more quickly than VA and IPS panels.
VA
The VA panel is referred to as the panel for vertical alignment. This panel mixes the best elements of each of IPS and TN. The color accuracy as well as the contrast ratio are both excellent. Additionally, you need not give up monitor speed.
Consider Refurbished Monitors
We would recommend you to consider refurbished monitors in case you want more from your gaming monitor at a lesser price. You can buy a refurbished monitor from Amazon. Simply search the product, click “Used & New” and a list of options will appear for you so you can easily find the perfect match for your system. You will be able to use displays which offer high refresh rate, low response time, excellent resolution and vivid colors.
Things to look for when buying refurbished monitors
Refurbished items always come with few issues. But these are not so many to be worried about. Infact, most of them can easily be dealt with. You can expect the following issues in the refurbished items.
Mild scratches
There can be mild scratches on the screen and bezels which can be ignored. Or at times the screen may be dirty which can easily be cleaned. But if the screen has a crack, its stand or some other part is broken or has loose connection ports, simply ignore it and dont waste your hard earned money on purchasing it.
Flickering
Flickering occurs in the LCD and CRT monitors. It’s common but too much of it can cause nausea and headaches.
Dead pixels
Dead pixels are phenomena, typically one or two dead pixels stuck on a single color on the screen. Usually, it is not much of a bother until you focus on that part of the screen a lot.
Screen burn-in
A permanent discoloration of some areas of an electronic display, like a cathode ray tube in an outdated computer monitor or television set, is known as screen burn-in, image burn-in, or ghost image.
Backlight bleeding
Backlight bleeding is a phenomenon where light escapes from a screen’s sides or around its perimeter, giving the screen an unlevel appearance.
Expectations from gaming monitors under $100
Honestly, there is a big difference between a high-end monitor and gaming monitors selling under $100. But still under this price tag you can get some good deals. You can expect a 100 Hz refresh rate and an excellent 1 ms response time. Interestingly, you will also be getting a resolution of 1080 FHD, maximum 24 inch screen and even an HDR (High Dynamic Range). Let’s examine the specifications of each of these and read their reviews.
Best gaming monitors under $100
There are alot of best gaming monitors under $100 but the ones you won’t regret buying are mentioned below.
- Acer-VG220Q
- Samsung S22F350FH
- LG 22MK430H-B
- AOC G2260VWQ6
- ViewSonic VX2252MH
Acer-VG220Q – Overall Best Gaming Monitor Under $100
Specifications
Screen size: 21.5 inches
Refresh rate: 75 Hz
Response time: 1 ms
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Panel type: IPS
Variable Refresh Rate: AMD Radeon FreeSync Technology
Monitor Review
Acer Nitro VG220Q is one of the affordable zero frame gaming monitors from Acer. It has a 21.5 inch screen, 75 Hz refresh rate and a quick 1 ms response time. Further, it has a full HD IPS display so there will be no issues related to viewing angels. Also, it comes with a FreeSync which collectively with all other features seems good for this price range monitor.
In terms of colors, it gives off vibrant colors and has a 99% sRGB color range. Although, it lacks in offering a real HDR10 experience, as it has 250 nits brightness at maximum and that is below the minimum range of 450 nits brightness which is available in HDR10. Other than this, its contrast ratio is 1000:1 which means its black looks a bit grayish. But overall, image quality is good.
VG220Q has a “zero frame” meaning it has a thin bezel which is good. Talking about its stand, it is stable but only you can tilt it towards the back and front which is good enough to give you a required position. Hence, it’s not fully ergonomic but only tilt adjustment is what you can expect from a monitor in this price tag.
Pros
- Quick response time
- With Adaptive/FreeSync technology
- IPS display
- Vibrant colors
- Easy-to-use settings menu with the Joystick
- Thin bezels
- Vibrant colors and sRGB mode (99% accuracy)
- Built-in speakers
- User friendly OSD
- Stable base along with ergonomic adjustments
Cons
- Not VESA compatible
- Extreme Overdrive mode results in the inverse-ghosting
- Color accuracy isn’t the best
- Enabling VRB (1ms) disables AMD FreeSync along with HDR and darkens screen
Samsung S22F350FH -Ultra Slim Gaming Monitor
Specifications
Screen size: 21.5 inches
Refresh rate: 60 Hz
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Variable Refresh Rate: AMD FreeSync Technology
Wide Viewing Panel: 178 degree wide viewing angle
Monitor Review
S22F350FH from Samsung is an excellent choice for those looking for great performance, features and stylish look from a gaming monitor. This monitor has 21.5 inches screen size, less than 0.4 inch thick sleek profile, a refresh rate of 60 Hz which is the minimum requirement for a good refresh rate and has FreeSync technology so your game will be stutter free so you can enjoy a good performing monitor. A resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels makes an incredibly amazing overall gaming experience.
We recommend you opt for this monitor if you are also into it as its design looks good. To add, its ultra thin monitor is why it doesnt make alot of space on your desktop. Due to its thinness, this excellent display tips over easily. But this issue can be resolved as a wall mounting option is available.
Its other features include eye saver mode, which helps to protect your eyes from strain and fatigue. Furthermore, it has an HDMI and VGA connectivity ports available. In the low price range, it is offering so much.
Pros
- Great resolution
- Good contrast
- Wall-mountable
- Glare is limited
- Good performance
- Stylish design
- Eye saver mode
Cons
- No DisplayPort and USB ports
- Prone to tipping
- No ergonomic adjustments
LG 22MK430H-B – Best FreeSync Gaming Monitor Under $100
Specifications
Screen size: 21.5 inches
Refresh rate: 75 Hz
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Variable Refresh Rate: AMD FreeSync Technology
Panel type: VA panel
Monitor Review
LG 22MK430H-B is great as a FreeSync monitor which is considered as an essential feature in gaming monitors. Its 75 Hz refresh rate and the AMD FreeSync technology give you a smooth gaming experience with no screen tearing and the motion is handled well. It has a VA panel type which is a good choice for gaming monitors.
The resolution of LG 22MK430H-B is 1920 x 1080 pixels which is quite good as it gives you sharp and clear images. Colors are vivid as well. Also, the image quality seems pretty good.
Other features include the option of mounting this monitor on the wall. It has a Reader Mode for ease of viewing. The build quality is good and it seems durable. The available connectivity ports are HDMI, D-Sub and VGA. For the gaming monitor in this price range we cannot expect bells and whistles but still it has the essential features which are required for a gaming monitor.
Pros
- Fast response time
- Wall mount support
- Good image quality
- Good connectivity
Cons
- No USB port
- No built-in speakers
AOC G2260VWQ6 -Best Gaming Monitor Under $100
Specifications
Screen size: 21.5 inches
Refresh rate: 75 Hz
Response time: 1 ms
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Variable Refresh Rate: AMD FreeSync Technology
Panel type: TN panel
Monitor Review
AOC G2260VWQ6 boasts its refresh rate of 75 Hz, response time of 1 ms, and FreeSync technology gives you a tear-free and smooth game. It has a TN panel type meaning the viewing angles are limited but it gets totally fine if you sit in front of the monitor.
It comes with a stand and has a tiny portion of red on the bottom bezel. The beautiful thing about this small monitor is that you can remove stand for more complicated installations and mount it to a VESA compatible bracket.
Featuring anti-blue light and flicker-free technology, you get enough practical gaming features at a very affordable price.
Pros
- Quick response time
- Adaptive/FreeSync technology
- Thin bezels
- DisplayPort connection available
- VESA compatible
Cons
- Color accuracy is not good
ViewSonic VX2252MH
Specifications
Screen size: 21.5 inches
Refresh rate: 60 Hz
Response time: 2 ms
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Panel type: TN panel
Connectivity technology: HDMI, VGA, DVI, Build-in speakers
Monitor Review
For smooth gaming and sharp pictures, go for ViewSonic VX2252MH. This 21.5 inch screen monitor has a 60 Hz refresh rate but a low 2 ms response time, which is disappointing as its a TN panel but not much noticeable. It features 1080p resolution and has a mega dynamic contrast ratio so you can have sharp and crisp images. An interesting feature is its “Game mode” which means you will get enhanced colors on screen. Unfortunately, there is no FreeSync technology in it.
This anti-glaring coated monitor has built-in speakers which is a plus thing given the price bracket. Moreover, it has a blue light filter to protect your eyes from fatigue and strain due to constant staring at the screen. The connectivity ports contain HDMI, DVI and VGA but there is no option for DisplayPort and USB. It’s not fully ergonomic and you can only do tilt adjustment. Given the features, it is overall a good choice to buy as a low budget monitor.
Pros
- Features “Game Mode”
- Low Response time
- Energy efficient
- Fast pixel response
Cons
- TN panel
- No Freesync
- Narrow viewing angles
- Tilt-only stand
Conclusion – best gaming monitors under $100
After reading the article, you must have pretty much made up your mind which one to go for out of all the mentioned best gaming monitors under $100. But here we give you an honest opinion to go for the Acer-VG220Q if you want an all rounder gaming monitor. If you mostly concerned about performance, purchase Samsung S22F350FH. At the end, whatever you decide, remember that it should be able to work with your rig’s GPU as well means your computer system should be able to run in line with your gaming monitor.
FAQs – Best gaming monitors under $100
There are few questions people have asked frequently about the best gaming monitors under $100. Let’s explore the answers.
What is the best gaming monitor under 100 USD?
One of Acer’s reasonably priced zero frame gaming monitors is the Nitro VG220Q. It boasts a 21.5-inch screen, a refresh rate of 75 Hz, and a rapid reaction time of 1 ms. Additionally, it has a full HD IPS display, so viewing angles won’t be a problem. Additionally, it has FreeSync, which when combined with the other features makes the monitor appear decent for the price.
What to expect when buying a gaming monitor under $100?
We’ll examine the reasonable expectations for purchasing a monitor for under $100 since the average cost of gaming displays has begun to decline. It will be difficult to locate a display with high-end specifications at this pricing point. Despite this, you can still get 100Hz refresh rates and 1ms response times (perhaps 144Hz on sale). A 24-inch screen with a 1080p FHD resolution is also to be expected; HDR is uncommon at this price point. The quality of the build materials and the range of stand adjustments will likely be lesser.
Is 75Hz good for gaming?
Yes. Naturally, 60 Hz and even 75 Hz are still suitable frequencies for gaming. It happens when your PC can render game frames at a pace faster than 75 frames per second. Therefore, to save money, budget gaming monitors should choose a 75Hz display if the frame rate is less than 75.
Is 1080P good for gaming?
The ideal resolution for competitive players is 1080P. Players will therefore gain more from a greater refresh rate than a higher screen resolution, even though the game may look marginally better on a 1440P or 4K monitor.
Are gaming monitors worth it?
A big YES! The best PC or gaming laptop equipped with the most advanced components is useless if you don’t have a monitor with a high enough refresh rate to show those high frame rates.
Does Hz affect FPS?
The frame rate (FPS) that your GPU will emit is independent of your monitor’s refresh rate (Hz). Since the frame rate is just being used to measure gaming performance, the display’s refresh rate is unimportant in this situation. For fps games, a higher frame rate is preferred.
Read more: Best Gaming Monitors Under $100