Best gaming monitor under 300 – our top picks (2024)

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If you’re looking for the best gaming monitor under 300, we’ve got you covered right here.

It’s more than possible to find a cracking monitor for less, without missing out on quality and performance. For those of you sticking to a budget, or building out your first setup, going for a gaming monitor under 300 is a wise choice indeed. As with buying any of the best gaming monitors, there are a few things to consider before we dive in, however.

First off, if you’re spending under 300, you’ll find that premium features like HDMI 2.1 compatibility won’t be present. We’d recommend that if you’re gaming on P55, Xbox Series X, or a powerful gaming PC, it’s worth considering some of the best HDMI 2.1 monitors to get the most out of your platform.

You also won’t be seeing the best ultrawide monitors on this list, as currently, these screen sizes are just too expensive. The same thing is true for the best Mini-LED monitors too.

It’s also worth noting that 4K tends to be rare at under $300, but it is possible to find if you search hard enough (as we have). For 4K, if you go slightly higher to $350 – $400, you’ll certainly have some more luck.

We’ve selected these gaming monitors based on specs, price, and any other features that we thought made them stand out from the crowd. You’ll find everything from excellent 1080p options like the SAMSUNG 27″ Odyssey G32A to brilliant 4K monitors like the LG 32UN500-W and more right here.

So let’s get to it, these are what we think are the best gaming monitors for under 300.

Best gaming monitor under 300

Best FHD gaming monitor under 300 – Samsung 27″ Odyssey G32A

best FHD gaming monitor under 300 Samsung
Brand: Samsung | Resolution: 1080p | Screen Size: 32-inches | Response Time: 1ms | Refresh Rate: 165hz | Other features: Free-Sync, height adjustment, eye saver mode
Check Price: Samsung 32″ Odyssey at Best Buy

If you’re looking for a high refresh rate monitor that won’t break the bank, we think this FHD, 165hz Samsung gaming monitor more than fits the bill.

This is a monitor that would work well for anyone who enjoys fast-paced, reflex-based games, like FPS (or first-person shooters) for example. That’s largely down to its low 1ms response time combined with its Free-Sync premium technology, which ensures that on-screen movement is super smooth and jitter-free.

Thanks to the laws of pixel density, FHD or 1080p at 32 inches is right on the money for preserving image quality. That means that you should still be able to get an immersive experience when gaming, but the image will still appear crisp and clear. If you think 1080p still sounds a bit low, you can check out this guide on 1080p vs 4K gaming.

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When it comes to design, we think this is yet another example of Samsung’s tasteful, minimal aesthetics, making it a great fit for practically any environment. Further, it also features height adjustment, tilt, pivot, and swivel, so you can find the prime spot for your seating position, and save some money on not buying a new monitor arm too.

Overall, for the price, this is an excellent option for most gamers out there.

Best 4K gaming monitor under 300 – LG 32UN500-W Monitor 32″

best 4K gaming monitor under 300
Brand: LG | Resolution: 4K | Screen Size: 32-inches | Response Time: 4ms | Refresh Rate: 60hz | Other features: Free-Sync, HDR-10
Check Price: LG 32UN500-W at Amazon

As we mentioned, getting 4K for under 300 can be a little tricky, as it usually comes with other premium features such as a larger screen and HDR, but if you are looking, we’d say you should check out the LG 32UN500-W.

This gaming monitor isn’t the most recent release on the block, but it’s been a popular choice for those looking for 4K gaming on a budget. As with most 4K monitors, it’s slightly larger than your typical FHD or 1440p display, as they’re made with maximum immersion in mind.

For gaming, it features AMD FreeSync and a respectable 4ms response time, but where it should really shine is with slower-paced, more cinematic titles.

That’s because of its HDR-10, which is rare to find under 300 with any gaming monitor. This ensures that blacks are deep and dark, and the picture is high-contrast with superior colour. Its impressive 90% DCI-P3 rating is a good indicator that this is the case.

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With a minimal, near borderless design that doesn’t scream ‘gaming’, we think this is a great monitor for any setup and well worth considering for the price.

Best 1440p gaming monitor under 300 – LG UltraGear QHD 27-Inch

best 1440p gaming monitor under 300 LG
Brand: LG Ultragear | Resolution: 1440p | Screen Size: 27-inches | Response Time: 1ms | Refresh Rate: 144hz | Other features: AMD Free-Sync, NVIDIA G-SYNC, HDR-10
Check Price: LG UltraGear QHD 27″ at Amazon

Probably one of the most popular 1440p/ QHD picks for a few years now, this gaming monitor from the LG Ultragear range has everything you’d need for under 300.

The best 1440p gaming monitors are ones that have low response times, high refresh rates (typically over 144hz), and HDR – all the while coming in at an affordable price.

This monitor ticks these boxes and a lot more, and in addition to the above is both AMD Free-Sync and Nvidia G-Sync compatible, packing an impressive IPS display for increased viewing angles and better overall picture and colour quality.

Since the Ultragear line is created for gamers, there are also other features that enhance your gaming experience, especially when playing first-person shooters.

Read More: Best 240Hz gaming monitor

Case in point, their Dynamic Action Sync helps reduce input lag, and their Black Stabilizer brightens dark scenes so you can see any opponents who may be lurking in the shadows!

Roll that into an impressively measured design, which we think is the perfect blend of gaming and regular monitor styles, and you’ve got a real winner here for the price.

Best 240hz gaming monitor under 300 – Dell 240Hz Gaming Monitor 24.5 Inch

best 240hz gaming monitor under 300 - Dell
Brand: Dell | Resolution: 1080p | Screen Size: 24.5-inches | Response Time: 1ms | Refresh Rate: 240hz | Other features: AMD Free-Sync, NVIDIA G-SYNC, Height, pivot, swivel, and tilt adjustability
Check Price: Dell 240hz gaming monitor at Amazon

If you’re all about frames per second, but want to keep your budget below 300, you’ve got to check out this 240hz gaming monitor from Dell.

Alongside its impressive 240hz refresh rate, it is AMD Free-Sync and Nvidia G-Sync compatible and has a rapid 1ms (GtG) response time.

Coming in at 24.5 inches, it’s also one of the best monitor sizes for gaming. This allows you to keep all the action right in front of you without having to rely on your peripheral vision too much. This size is typically used by some of the best competitive gamers in the world, so if you’re looking to win big – this is a good place to start.

Read More: Best 360Hz gaming monitor

Design-speaking, it’s all business, and we think it looks great. The fact that it comes with height, tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustability on top of this makes it another winner when it comes to optimizing your setup.

Add that to some more gamer-orientated features like its Dark Stabilizer and you’ve got gaming that’s well worth considering for the price.

Best curved monitor under 300 – AOC CQ27G2 27″

best curved gaming monitor under 300 - AOC
Brand: AOC | Resolution: 1440p | Screen Size: 27-inches, 1500R | Response Time: 1ms | Refresh Rate: 144hz | Other features: AMD Free-Sync, height adjustable
Check Price: AOC CQ27G2 27″ at Amazon

When it comes to the best curved monitor for under 300, it’s more common to find 1080p displays for under 300, but we’ve managed to find a higher resolution, 1440p monitor from the excellent AOC.

The AOC CQ27G2 is an excellent choice for gamers who want crisp detail, high frames-per-second, and increased immersion. The 1500R curve should draw you into the action, wrapping around your peripheral vision to give you an experience unlike anything on a flat-screen monitor.

Read More: Best OLED gaming monitor

And when it comes to image quality, it’s surprisingly impressive when it comes to colour, boasting a massive 120% SRGB colour gamut and 89% of Adobe RGB. That means your games should really ‘pop’ and look both vivid and bright.

As with many of the monitors on this list, its height is adjustable too – so no need to purchase any extra monitor arms.

If you’re looking for a curved monitor for a cracking price, we think AOC has you more than covered.

Frequently asked questions

When it comes to picking the best gaming monitor under 300, there are some questions that pop up time and time again. We know a thing or two about gaming monitors, so take a look below for some helpful answers to some of the most common questions out there.

Are cheap 144hz monitors worth it?

In many cases, they can be. It is possible to get a responsive 144hz gaming monitor for ‘cheap’, and we’d say that if you’re building your first setup or working with a smaller budget, you can get something pretty good for under $300 or even $200.

If you want to upgrade to the more premium 144hz gaming monitors, you’ll be looking at around $400 plus, and potentially $900 plus for some of the best HDMI 2.1 4K/ 144hz monitors.

What monitor is best for gaming on a budget?

There’s no one monitor that’s best for gaming on a budget, but there are some brands worth looking into that have a great track record of quality at lower price points. BenQ, LG, ViewSonic, AOC, Samsung, and Gigabyte are all great places to start your search.

Is 24 or 27 better for gaming?

If you’re on a budget, a 245-inch monitor will be fine. However, if you plan to use your monitor for working as well and need a lot of screen real estate, then a 27-inch monitor might be worth the investment.

Can regular monitors be used for gaming?

If you’re trying to game on a budget, using the same monitor as you do for work might save you some money. However, this will only be worth it if your monitor has low input lag, a high refresh rate and decent resolution. Otherwise you’ll be set for a very frustrating gaming experience.

Do gamers prefer flat or curved monitors?

There is no definitive answer – however, some gamers definitely prefer the increased immersion brought on by a curved monitor.

Can you get budget 4K monitors?

Yes, there are plenty available on a budget – you just need to know where to look. We’ve luckily done the hard work for you by researching the best budget 4K monitors here at Videogamer.

Is 27″ or 32″ better for gaming?

Your decision depends on what resolution you’re after and what kind of games you enjoy playing. If you’re into competitive FPS gaming, then you should go for 27″, or even an even smaller 24″. A 32″ monitor is most commonly found in 4K and 1440p resolutions. If you are going to get a 32 inch monitor, make sure you have the space to sit a suitable distance away from it.

About the Author

Ramzi Musa

Ramzi has worked in the digital media industry for years, and has extensive writing, editing, and project management experience within tech and hardware content.