Best Gaming Monitor Under $200 In 2022
Find a budget beast here with the best gaming monitors under $200.
This is part of the ‘Hardware’ directory
Directory contents
Advancements in display hardware over the past couple of years have meant that you're able to get some excellent monitors for under the $200 price point - here are all of the best options right now across both 1080p and 1440p.
Acer Nitro 27" QHD XV271U
- Resolution: 2560x1440
- Refresh rate: 180Hz
It's staggering to me that you're able to get a 180Hz QHD monitor for under $200 these days, but it truly shows how far monitor technology has come.
While this is now a far cry from the high-end OLED 400Hz+ displays you'll see around the $800+ price point, you're still getting an absolutely excellent monitor for the price here that is more than capable of making your games look excellent.
Making the jump from 1080p gaming to 1440p is one of the most noticeable enhancements you can make, and the difference really is staggering. If you've got the PC specs to be able to take advantage of this jump then I'd definitely recommend it - especially if you can take advantage of the 180Hz refresh rate.
LG Ultragear 27" QHD 276GL83A-B
- Resolution: 2560x1440
- Refresh rate: 144Hz
This is actually my personal monitor that I'm using right now, and it's held up excellently for over three years now. While there are displays with higher refresh rates, the IPS panel makes games look fantastic in every scenario.
It features an incredibly ergonomic design too, allowing you to be very flexible with how you want your monitor to sit. Additionally, it might seem like a small concern, but the controls are excellent and easy to use here - which is particularly great if you're using two devices on one display.
You'll also benefit from NVIDIA G-SYNC technology, which makes your gaming experience noticeably smoother. This also has a wider range of 30Hz to the monitor's max refresh rate, which is much better than standard and premium FreeSync offerings which only start at 48Hz.
MSI 27" QHD G273CQ
- Resolution: 2560x1440
- Refresh rate: 170Hz
Rounding off the QHD options is MSI's 27" curved display, which is great if you want to become more immersed in your favourite games.
While most people prefer to opt for flat monitors, curved displays bring the edges of the screen closer to you, and theoretically wrap the image around your sightline.
This particular display is rated at 1500R, which is quite an aggressive curve but not quite as strong as 1000R options. I wouldn't particularly recommend this if you're a competitive gamer, but it can provide an exceptional experience if you mostly play single-player titles.
You're also getting a VA panel here, which provides deeper blacks and a stronger contrast compared to IPS and TN options. You are sacrificing response times, and this can lead to ghosting in extreme scenarios, but if you're not playing competitive games then you'll be fine!
Acer Nitro 24.5" FHD KG251Q
- Resolution: 1920x1080
- Refresh rate: 250Hz
If you're on the hunt for a high refresh rate around the $100-200 price point, you won't get much better than this, as you're getting a stagger 250Hz.
Of course, the 'sacrifice' here is that you're moving down to a 1080p display, but if you're shopping around this price range then the likelihood is that your system wouldn't be able to reach those framerates at a higher resolution anyway.
This will let you play your favourite competitive games at an incredibly fast framerate, and you'll also benefit from the added smoothness of FreeSync Premium. If you play games like Counter-Strike, VALORANT, or Rainbow Six Siege then this is a no-brainer.
Acer Nitro 31.5" FHD ED320Q
- Resolution: 1920x1080
- Refresh rate: 240Hz
The Acer Nitro ED320Q is a bit of an outlier that I wouldn't typically recommend, but its combined specs make it one to consider.
FHD displays typically have a sweet spot of around 24", as the pixel-per-inch ratio starts to suffer a little beyond this point. This is, then, typically a problem when you stretch the size up to 31.5", but the fact that it's curved at 1500R helps in this regard.
You'll not only be getting an incredibly immersive experience with the large curved display, but your image will also be incredibly smooth due to the 240Hz refresh rate. Being at 1080p makes this much easier to achieve, so you can take advantage of the display's full capabilities.
This monitor definitely won't be to everyone's tastes or requirements, but I can see it being perfect for someone wanting to fully immerse themselves in gaming - and for under $200 you really can't go wrong.
About The Author
Harry Boulton
Harry is a Guides Writer at GGRecon, having completed a Masters of Research degree in Film Studies. Previously a freelance writer for PCGamesN, The Loadout, and Red Bull Gaming, he loves playing a wide variety of games from the Souls series to JRPGs, Counter-Strike, and EA FC. When not playing or writing about games and hardware, you're likely to find him watching football or listening to Madonna and Kate Bush.
This is part of the ‘Hardware’ directory
Directory contents
