Choose the Best Gaming Monitor Under $400
Customer’s Choice: the Best Rated Gaming Monitors Under $400
4 users answered this survey. Please help us improve this review!
Nowadays, only the best game monitor is good enough. If you are serious about gaming – whether you are a competitive gamer or not – an excellent monitor is essential to getting the most out of your gaming PC. It is one of the most important peripherals out there, and it can bring the best of PC games to life in ways that the average monitor cannot.When it comes to resolution, refresh rate, color accuracy, and even connectivity, the best gaming monitors are just better. However, just like the best graphics card and processor, different monitors are best for different gamers.
Here you can find reviews of the best gaming monitors with information on important display points to make the right choice.
Table of Contents
AOC CQ32G1– Best Frameless Monitor
Resolution
With an aspect ratio of 16: 9, the typical video formats can be displayed without any problems. The device has a screen resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. Thanks to QHD technology, pin-sharp images, and bright colors are guaranteed across the full width of the screen.
Pros
- Easy to adjust parameters to personal taste;
- Nice combination of price and quality;
- It Supports high-quality resolutions;
- Various additional features.
Cons
- Texture quality could be better.
Acer Nitro VG271 –Best for response Time
Resolution
The 16: 9 aspect ratio is ideal for playing back films and pictures. A screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels can be set on the display. Thanks to the device’s Full HD resolution, occasional users can run any office application with good image quality. The monitor ensures great image quality from different perspectives with horizontal and vertical viewing angles of 178 each.
Pros
- It supports FreeSync technology;
- Very rich colors;
- Possibility to create profiles of settings for different purposes;
- The housing is made of reliable materials.
Cons
- After long sessions, the eyes easily get tired.
Asus VP28UQG – Best for Ultra HD quality & Resolution
Resolution
The 16: 9 aspect ratio allows you to enjoy films and pictures in the usual format. A screen resolution of 3840×2160 pixels can be set on the monitor. Incomparable sharpness, bright colors, and always clearly displayed images are made possible by the UHD 4K screen quality. The horizontal and vertical viewing angles of 170 and 160 ensure great image quality from different perspectives.
The height of the device can be easily adjusted and adapted to your personal needs. The VP28UQGL monitor from ASUS – the right decision when it comes to excellent quality and tasteful design.
Pros
- High quality and excellent resolution;
- Very fast response rate;
- Colors are pleasant to the eyes;
- Plenty of connectivity options.
Cons
- It does not have inbuilt speakers.
Sceptre C275B-144R – Best for Long Playing Sessions
Resolution
Sceptre offers a standard full HD resolution of 1920×1080 pixels, however, the more important fact is 144Hz. It allows you to run games with a high frame rate, which results in a smooth animation of the picture. Speaking about Connectivity, it has DisplayPort, HDMI, and DVI. Such variety improves compatibility with various computers.
Pros
- You can mount it on a wall;
- Reliable and sturdy metal stand;
- High-quality colors, contrast, and brightness;
- It is compatible with the newest video cards.
Cons
- You need to calibrate colors before using display.
ViewSonic XG2530 – Best for Refresh Rate
Resolution
The standard resolution of 1920×1080 pixels delivers ultimate pleasure not only while playing games but also delivers excellent quality movies and videos. This model is undoubtedly the perfect monitor for professional gamers who want to get the most out of their experience during competitions. Moreover, it is that this TN panel offers a series of outstanding features, among which stand out an incredible refresh rate of 240 Hz and a response time of only 1ms.
Pros
- Fast response rate;
- Wonderful additional features;
- AMD FreeSync technology;
- It is easy to unpack and start using it.
Cons
- The contrast could be better.
We have compared gaming monitors under $400 and selected the most exciting offers. Choose the most suitable gaming monitor under $400 and play games comfortably!
The Buyer’s Guide
When it comes to office monitors, size and resolution are the most important factors. If you work with it all day, it takes up space, much like on a desk. Besides, the image should look crisp, because it is easier on the eyes. After all, office workers often spend eight hours or more at their computers. The Hertz number also plays a subordinate role here. Whether it is 60 Hertz or 144 is usually not noticed in everyday work.
The gaming monitor, on the other hand, exploits everything that today’s technologies can offer. A high Hertz number is crucial here, as is a fast response time. The resolution and size are also important. After all, you want the game to look good too. However, the resolution only plays a subordinate role.
The response time determines the input lag
Gaming monitors are often advertised as having a fast response time and there is a reason for that. It is probably the most important metric when it comes to professional gaming. The response time indicates how great the input lag of a monitor is. With a reaction time of 3 milliseconds, for example, it takes 3 milliseconds for input via mouse or keyboard to arrive on the screen.
A quick response time is accordingly better and ensures that the input lag is as low as possible. This in turn ensures that the game controls itself crisply, which is a great advantage, especially in competitive online games or games that require fast response times.
Hertz number vs. FPS: what is the difference?
The Hertz number (refresh rate) is also an important figure when it comes to gaming monitors. It indicates how many images (frames) the monitor can display per second. The number of frames per second that the graphics card can generate depends on your hardware and the game itself.
A game with low requirements creates more frames per second for the same hardware than a game with high hardware requirements. Conversely, stronger hardware can output more frames per second in the same game.
The Hertz number of the monitor now determines how many of the output frames per second can arrive at the monitor. In plain language, this means that if your hardware can play a game at 150 frames per second, but your monitor only has 60Hz, you can see the game in just 60 frames per second. However, if your monitor has 144Hz, you will also be able to see the game in 144 frames per second.
In gaming, the Hertz number is not just for aesthetic reasons. A game that runs at 120 or 144 frames per second can be seen much more smoothly. At 30 or 60 frames per second, streaks and blurred images can often be seen. Especially with faster action sequences. For gaming monitors, it should therefore be at least 120 Hertz. This makes aiming easier, especially with first-person shooters, and in general, with sharp images in quick sequences, you can better see what is happening on the screen.
Resolution
The resolution of the monitors determines the resolution in which the game can be displayed. A 4K monitor can display games in 4K, while a monitor with a resolution of 1920 to 1080 pixels (Full HD) can only display a game in this resolution. However, the resolution is always a price driver, especially if the Hertz number and response time are also to be correct, you will quickly pay a small fortune.
However, since the resolution has no direct influence on the gameplay, it is better to choose a monitor with a lower resolution and paying attention to the frequency and response time. Therefore, you can save real money.
When deciding which resolution is right for you, the question arises again, which technical requirements the PC has. Anyone planning to upgrade should consider this when making a purchase. Because compared to Full HD, the WQHD offers almost twice as many pixels, all of which need to be calculated.
This is also the reason why 4K monitors are rarely found, as an enormous amount of computing power is required to display this smoothly. With little tricks like scaling, weaker computers can also display higher resolutions. Unfortunately, upscaling a Full HD image to 4K resolution can result in a blurred image.
Connections
The possibilities for connections to the monitors are numerous and it is not always clear which is the best. You should make sure that the new monitor has either an HDMI 2.0 or a display port connection – for the best resolution and Hertz number.
A good gaming monitor is likely to stay with you longer than the computer itself on which it is running. But what should you think about before you buy a gaming monitor for under $400? In this guide, we go through exactly that and explain which we think is the best gaming screen on the market in several categories, such as the best 144Hz screen, the best cheap gaming screen and the absolute top choice in the category of gaming screens.
What is the Best Gaming Monitor Under $400?
It depends on what you are looking for. In our guide, you can read about the best gaming monitors under $400 in different categories. We list cheap gaming screens with 144h Hz but also screens with higher refresh rates. We hope that with our help at GamingProfy, you will find the best gaming monitor for your needs!
A good gaming screen is likely to stay with you longer than the computer that controls it. For this reason, you must understand the meaning of the various terms when you buy a gaming screen. In this guide, we will go through these terms and explain what is important and what you should think about when you buy a gaming screen.
Update Frequency
This is the most important feature for you who are interested in a new gaming monitor. A standard PC monitor usually has a refresh rate of 60 Hz, while gaming screens usually start at 144 Hz and go up to 300 Hz.
Response Time
The response time indicates how long it takes for the screen to change a single pixel from black to white. It usually varies between 1 and 5 milliseconds. A higher response time can cause the screen to become blurred when playing games or watching movies. This concept, which is known as motion blur, is most noticeable in fast movements. When playing games, the screen should have a reaction time of fewer than 2 milliseconds to minimize this.
Display Technologies – TN vs. IPS vs. VA
Three main display technologies are used in today’s monitors. TN (Twisted Nematic), VA (Vertical Alignment) and IPS (In-Plane Switching). All of these have different advantages and disadvantages.
TN
Gaming screens with TN panels have poorer color reproduction than panels with IPS or VA technology. One can say that the colors are somewhat dull and less saturated. They also have worse viewing angles than the other technologies, which means you’ll never find curved screens with a TN panel. Despite these shortcomings, TN is the technology most widely used for gaming screens. This is because TN screens are characterized by a high refresh rate and low response time. TN is also the technology that is easiest to manufacture, resulting in lower prices.
IPS
IPS monitors offer the absolute best color reproduction of these three technologies. It also has the best viewing angles, which makes it suitable for curved screens. Traditionally, no screens with IPS technology have been found with a refresh rate above 75 Hz and a response time of fewer than 4 milliseconds. In recent years, however, IPS screens for games have appeared with refresh rates above 200 Hz and response times of only 1 millisecond. IPS is most common in the premium segment for gaming screens. An IPS panel in a lower price range will probably have a relatively low refresh rate. This, in turn, makes this screen a poor choice for gaming and makes it more suitable for video and image editing, for example.
VA
VA is a display technology that can be seen as something between IPS and TN. They are suitable for both games and movies. The color reproduction is worse than an IPS screen but better than a TN screen. They can have a high refresh rate without the price sticking out what they would have done on an IPS screen. $VA panels can be seen as an affordable all-around choice for you who are looking for a gaming monitor under $400.
Resolution and Screen Size
The most common sizes of gaming screens with an aspect ratio of 16:9 are 24″ and 27″. The size to buy is mainly based on how deep your desk is and how far you sit from the screen. If you want to buy a 27-inch screen, you should sit at least 60 cm away from the screen. Otherwise, you will have difficulty keeping up with everything that happens.
A 24-inch screen works well with 1920 × 1080 resolution (Full HD) and also with 2560 × 1440 (QHD). A 27-inch screen, on the other hand, should have a QHD resolution or higher to ensure good picture quality. A higher resolution requires better hardware, and the most important component is the graphics card. If you are currently experiencing low frame rate problems during gaming, you should not get a gaming monitor with a higher resolution than the one you now have. In this case, you should also update your graphics card.
Both screen sizes are also available in 4k resolution (3840 × 2160). The two biggest problems are that you need a very powerful computer to run a 4k monitor without losing frame rate. The second problem is that the difference in perceived image quality between a 4k screen and a QHD screen is minimal and barely noticeable on a screen smaller than 40 inches. To make the difference clear, the screen should be larger than conventional gaming screens. Another problem is that there are currently very few games that support 4k resolution.
PPI
Pixels per inch, PPI is an important concept that is not talked about much, and we absolutely believe that you should consider this when buying a gaming monitor. It’s simply a matter of how closely packed the pixels are. A 24-inch Full HD (1920 × 1080) resolution screen has a PPI of 92 that you don’t want to go below. A 27-inch screen with the same resolution has a PPI of only 81, which gives an image that is quite grainy compared to a 24-inch screen with the same resolution. The exception to this rule is if you are sitting very far away from the screen. A 55 inch TV that plays a Full HD movie will have a PPI of only 40, which is acceptable because you are usually sitting relatively far away from a TV screen. A 27-inch screen with a QHD resolution (2560 × 1440) has a PPI of 108, so you can considerably increase the screen’s content before you lose picture quality, at least when you compare it to a 92 PPI screen.
We want you to take away with you from this piece to check the pixel density carefully before you buy a computer monitor. This applies mainly to the purchase of larger screens in lower price ranges, as the greatest savings are usually made in image quality. Here you can calculate how high the PPI of different monitors is, based on screen size and resolution.
HDR
HDR, high dynamic range – is a technology that allows the screen to achieve a higher level of realism and depth. The bright areas become brighter, and the dark areas even darker. This, in turn, increases the contrast, and that is why? Games and videos become more realistic. The visual improvements that HDR offers are subjective – some can’t imagine returning to SDR, while others can barely see the difference or don’t care. A monitor with HDR is not much more expensive than a monitor with SDR. So if it is offered, you should definitely say yes.
HDR is compatible with all versions of DisplayPort and HDMI 2.0. You must also have a graphics card that supports HDR to use it. For consoles, all versions of Xbox One and Playstation 4 also support HDR.
FreeSync or G-Sync?
Nvidia and AMD have different solutions to solve the problem of screen tearing. Both use adaptive refresh rates, but which solution is really the best? The answer is that both work roughly the same. What you need to keep in mind is to match the right hardware with the right screen. Read more in our article where we discuss the difference between AMD’s FreeSync and Nvidia’s G-Sync.
What’s Wrong with Curved Gaming Monitors?
At first glance, curved gaming screens can be seen as a gimmick, at least if you compare them to conventional flat screens. Despite the criticism that curved screens have received, they offer a number of different advantages. A screen that wraps around your field of vision means that you don’t have to move your head as much to see the entire screen. Also, peripheral vision allows you to pick up things in the corner of the screen. You also create a more immersive experience. This may sound like sales talk, and to some extent, it is. These benefits are certainly noticeable when the screen is 27″ large, but it is very marginal. Curved screens are best suited for screens with a higher aspect ratio, so-called ultra-wide screens.
Ultra-wide screens must always be curved for them to work well because they are so wide that the distance to the screen’s outermost parts would otherwise have been so much greater than the distance to the center of the screen. The fact that the screen is curved means that the two become almost identical. Buying an ultra-widescreen that is not curved is cheaper, but we strongly advise against it precisely because of this problem.
Gaming Monitor with Built-in Speakers
If you buy a monitor with built-in speakers, you should not expect a top sound. They are great for listening to the radio, playing browser games, or watching YouTube clips. On the other hand, if you want to use your screen to watch movies or play games with better empathy, you should invest in either good gaming headphones or a pair of external speakers. If you use the built-in speakers in your gaming monitor, you should be aware that only DisplayPort and HDMI can transmit audio.
Video Review: AOC CQ32G1 31.5″ QHD 144Hz Curved Gaming Monitor
Conclusion
There are a few things to consider when buying a gaming monitor. The most important features here are the response time and the frequency (Hertz number) if you want to have a smooth gaming experience. If you can compromise on a resolution, i.e. you do not necessarily need 4K, you should be able to find good gaming monitors at fair prices without any problems.
Gaming Monitor Under $400 Bestsellers
We have tested the most popular gaming monitors under $400 (the table is updated daily). We show the result in the bestseller list. Here you will find the best available products for you sorted by the customer reviews.
