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03Best budget gaming monitor under $700
If you’re looking for the best gaming monitor for under $700 for your gaming PC then look no further. If, like us, you’re serious about gaming, the best gaming monitor can make all the difference to your performance, as can other peripherals like the best gaming headset and the best gaming mouse, no matter your game of choice.
But, with such a wide array of gaming monitors on the market right now, and many different specs to consider, it can be difficult finding the right one for you. That’s where we come in: we’ve done some research, and we think these are the best a $700 budget can buy. Let’s find out why.
Best gaming monitor under $700
Best gaming monitor under $700 – GIGABYTE M32U
GIGABYTE M32U
Screen Size
32-inch
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Resolution
3,840 x 2,160
Refresh Rate
144Hz
Response Time
1ms
Inputs
2x HDMI 2.1, 2x HDMI 2, 1x DisplayPort, 1x USB 3.2 hub
- Impressive performance specs
- Console-compatible
- Handy KVM switch
- Disappointing contrast
The M32U 32 inch monitor ticks pretty much all the boxes for a gaming monitor – it’s got fantastic image quality thanks to the 4K IPS panel, as well as the 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and excellent input lag. These features all work nicely together to deliver smooth gameplay if your GPU can handle it.
Unfortunately, it’s not quite a match for the best OLED gaming monitors in terms of visuals: it has a fairly low contrast ratio, and 90% DCI-P3 colour coverage, so the colour gamut here could be better, and it’s probably not a great choice for a particularly low-lit room.
However, the M32U is one of the few monitors with HDMI 2.1 ports, making it an ideal choice for console gamers, and it’s one of the better monitors for the PS5 and Xbox Series S/X. Also, a unique feature in terms of productivity is its handy built-in keyboard video and mouse switch (or KVM), which means you can switch between two sources with just one keyboard and mouse.
All in all, this is very much a decent monitor, offering great value for money compared to similarly priced alternatives.
Best ultrawide gaming monitor under $700 – Acer Nitro XR343CK
Acer Nitro XR343CK
Screen Size
34-inch
Aspect Ratio
21:9
Resolution
1440p
Refresh Rate
180hz
Response Time
0.5ms
Inputs
1x USB 3.1, 2x Display Ports 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.0 & USB Ports
- Impressive visuals
- Caters for smooth gameplay
- Nice minimal design
- Not exactly cheap
Next up is Acer’s Nitro XR343CK ultrawide curved gaming monitor. The resolution on this thing is 1440p, meaning it’s incredibly sharp, and its ultrawide nature allows for a much broader view to soak it up with. Naturally, this means it comes in slightly on the larger side at 34 inches, meaning it is probably catered less to competitive, FPS-based gaming and more to casual or recreational hobbyists.
That’s not to say that this monitor wasn’t made specifically with gaming in mind, as it boasts a 180hz refresh rate, 0.5ms response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium, making gameplay super-smooth. Also, the zero-frame design does away with the thick bezels found on most monitors in this price bracket and frees up precious screen space. What’s more, it’s got a solid colour gamut of DCI-P3 98%, so in-game scenery on games like the latest Forza Motorsport is bound to be lush.
There’s really not much to turn your nose up at, and we’d say it’s up there with the best ultrawide gaming monitors and the best 1440p gaming monitors out there – it features height, tilt and swivel adjustment capabilities, and we think the minimal aesthetics of it are nice and stylish.
Best budget gaming monitor under $700 – Acer Predator XB273U
Acer Predator XB273U
Screen Size
27-inch
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Resolution
1440p
Refresh Rate
165hz
Response Time
1ms
Inputs
2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 2x USB Type-A
- Great overall performance
- Outstanding value
- Anti-glare screen
- Color gamut could be broader
And finally, our budget pick is the XB273U, a 27 inch gaming monitor that actually has all the bells and whistles, including a fast refresh rate which can be overclocked to 170hz, a low 1ms response time, and 1440p screen resolution, with G-Sync compatibility on top. 27 inch seems to be the sweet spot for most gamers and, given the price point, these performance and resolution specs aren’t bad at all.
What’s more, the XB273U delivers the IPS experience, providing DCI-P3 90% colour gamut, alongside VESA DisplayHDR 400 certifications. It’s also good to know that this monitor meets Eyesafe requirements for blue light output whilst remaining colour accurate, and the screen has a matte finish, meaning there is minimal glare. Not bad!
Another fun feature that you don’t often get at this price point is the RGB lighting built into the monitor, which can be activated via an app. You can choose from various effects and modes so it’ll fit right in with your current setup, and it’ll light up in sync with your game. The design of the XB273U is, again, pretty minimal, and has decent ergonomic adjustability. All in all, this is a solid all-rounder that we’d heartily recommend if you’re on a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
It must be said that there’s more than a lot to consider when it comes to gaming monitors, so you may have some questions. We’ve answered some of the more common ones here.
Is 4k necessary for gaming?
No, it’s not necessary, though if you’re playing visually good-looking games and have the GPU to support it, a 4k monitor will help you make the most of industry-leading graphics.
Are ultrawide monitors better for gaming?
They’re not exactly the go-to for gamers, but if you prefer a particularly immersive experience they might suit you.
