Well, hello there, fellow gamer! I’m sure you have almost lost your way in the web of all information while looking for the perfect monitor to enhance your gaming experience. Worry no more, for we have all the answers you seek!
All those who belong to the clan of gamers know that your hardware is the pivotal point in determining your gaming journey towards victory or defeat. In order to get the most out of your favourite game; be it sports, FPS (first-person-shooter) games, racing or any other game that gets your adrenaline pumping; it all comes down to the three hallows of gaming: Gaming PC, Powerful graphics cars and a gaming monitor.
Before you zero down on a monitor to serve your gaming requirements, it is important to check that your monitor should be able to render fast-action graphics without getting in the way of your gameplay.
In this article, we'll assist you in picking that perfect gaming display which would guarantee you a smooth, immersive gaming experience, while giving you an edge towards victory.
ACER HA220Q
Key Specifications
Display: 21.5-inch IPS LCD Panel
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
Adaptive Sync: AMD FreeSync Technology
Refresh Rate: 75Hz
Response Time: 4ms
Connectivity Ports: 1 VGA Port, 1HDMI
Special Features: Blue Light Filter, Flicker-Free, Frameless, Built-In Speakers
For the gamers with budget constraints, the Acer HA220Q is a blessing in disguise. This monitor comes with a budget-friendly price tag on Amazon. While there are many other brands that showcase similar offerings, nothing beats the quality products that Acer offers at a budget price.
This budget-friendly gaming monitor is a 21.5- inch 1080p display device that comes with the most conventional and simple design in matte black colour, with a premium touch to it. One of the most striking feature of this monitor is its ultra-slim bezels on three sides with a slightly bigger bezel at the bottom to showcase the brand logo, and the on-screen display buttons.
Being a budget offering, this monitor comes with the manufacturer making certain cut-offs in hardware features such as a restrictive tilt, no height adjustment option and the lack of VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) compatibility.
Although the world has been taken over by 4K monitors, we have to admit that this display does lack a bit of resolution. But for this price range, Acer’s offering of full HD (high-definition) resolution in the HA220Q is a pretty good deal. The native aspect ratio of this monitor is 16:9. Even though this is a budget offering, Acer has preferred to go with an IPS (In-plane switching) panel as opposed to a TN (Twisted Nematic) or a VA (Vertical Alignment) panel. As a result, we get remarkable viewing angles which may seem to be quite an offering for a monitor this cheap. The viewing angle is about 178 degree which is pretty impressive for the price.
This Acer monitor comes with support for 16.7 million colors, with support for 72% of the NTSC (National Television System Committee) color gamut. While this monitor may not seem to be a suitable pick for editing works; you won't notice much of a difference for media consumption. With a native contrast ratio of 1000:1 and a dynamic contrast ratio of 1000000:1, there is a good range where you can appreciate the deep blacks and the bright whites, but the monitor is not as good as the ones with a better contrast ratio.
Now, let's get to the real business. Is the Acer HA220Q good for gaming? The display of this monitor comes with a refresh rate of 75Hz, which is slightly higher than the conventional 60Hz. While most gamers prefer to opt for screens with a higher refresh rate of 144Hz, it isn't possible here because of the price constraint. But an upside here is the response time of 4ms, which seems pretty good for this price. This can help reduce ghosting and motion blur when it comes to fast-action gaming. Another boon for the gaming community is the support for AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) FreeSync technology, which syncs the refresh rate of the screen with the graphics card, thereby preventing tearing and other motion blur issues in fast-paced games.
When it comes to connectivity, you get a VGA (Video Graphics Array) port and an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) port. While these two ports adequate for hooking up with computers, the lack of a DVI (Digital Visual Interface) port can be a deal-breaker for some especially if their graphics cards support only a DVI port. There are no inbuilt speakers in this model. Usually, inbuilt speakers are not that great and will give out feeble audio when compared to a set of good speakers. So you’re not missing out of much in this case.
The Acer HA220Q is a budget, 1080p monitor. It comes with an IPS display that offers excellent viewing angles. The image quality is excellent, and we can call this a gaming monitor if you’re planning to game on a budget. With a few minor drawbacks, this Acer HA220Q is definitely a budget champion in terms of gaming monitors.
AOC C24G1
Key Specifications
Display: 23.6-inch Curved and Frameless VA Panel
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full-HD)
AMD Freesync Technology: Yes
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
Response Time: 4ms (GtG); 1ms (MPRT)
Connectivity Ports: 1 VGA Port, 2 HDMI Ports and 1 DisplayPort
Special Features: Flicker-Free Backlight, Curved Monitor
A curved gaming monitor with a refresh rate of 144Hz, AMD FreeSync and a response time of 4ms (GtG) and 1ms (MPRT - Moving Picture Response Time), the AOC C24G1 is packed with many features including design quality at an affordable price.
Based on a VA panel with true 8-bit color depth, the AOC C24G1 has a remarkable 1080p resolution, 3,000:1 static contrast ratio, a 250-nit peak brightness and 178-degree wide viewing angles. The Full HD resolution, 1920×1080, results in a decent pixel density of roughly 93 pixels per inch which allows for clear and crisp details, when displayed on the 23.6-inch viewable screen of the AOC C24G1.
The input lag of the AOC C24G1 amounts to only 4ms, which is quite a superb deal; thereby making this desktop monitor apt for some intense gaming. However, one of the drawbacks with using VA panels in gaming monitors is the possibility of ghosting of fast-moving objects due to the slow response time speed. But chances of this being a glaring drawback comes with darker scenes, where darker pixels are predominant. But the amount of smearing may be a distraction if you’re a hardcore FPS gamer, where we would suggest that you should opt for an IPS or TN panel display. However, this issue can be considered negligible when it comes to casual gaming.
The AOC C24G1 comes equipped with AMD FreeSync, which allows you to synchronize the monitor’s refresh rate with the frame rate of a compatible GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), which will, in turn, eliminate all screen tearing and stuttering within the VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) range of the display.
Additional gaming features such as ‘Dial Point’ custom crosshair, AOC Shadow Control (preset gamma curvature modes for better visibility of objects in shadows) and AOC Game Color (preset color saturation modes), are available on the AOC C24G1. Pre-calibrated picture presets for FPS (First-Person Shooter), RTS (Real-time strategy), and Racing genres as well as three customizable Gamer profiles are also available on this monitor. For minimal input lag, make sure the AOC Low Input Lag option is ‘On’.
The AOC C24G1 also comes with a flicker-free backlight and a Low Blue Light mode to prevent eye fatigue from prolonged viewing at night.
The monitor is built with ultra-thin bezels at the top and the sides of the display for a stylish accent, along with a nice matte-textured chassis and some red ‘gamer-kind’ accents, which don’t seem to be intrusive at all. The monitor features a sturdy metal stand which offers height adjustment up to 130mm as well as +/- 35° swivel, -5°/20° tilt and VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) mount compatibility of 100 x 100mm.
On the hind side of the monitor, you’ll find two HDMI 1.4 ports, VGA, DisplayPort 1.2, and a headphones jack. Both the HDMI ports and the DisplayPort input support AMD FreeSync and 144Hz at 1080p.
The AOC C24G1 offers an immersive image quality, responsive gameplay, excellent design quality, and a wide gamut of gaming features for just a very affordable rate!
ASUS VG279QM
Key Specifications
Display: 27-inch IPS LED Panel
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
Adaptive Sync: FreeSync (48Hz-280Hz),G-SYNC Compatible,ELMB-Sync
Refresh Rate: 240Hz (280Hz Overclocked)
Response Time: 1ms (GtG)
Connectivity Ports: DisplayPort 1.2, 2x HDMI 2.0, Headphone Jack
Special Features: HDR10, VESA DisplayHDR 400, Shadow Boost, Blue Light Filter, Flicker-Free
Here’s a gaming monitor based on the 1080p 240Hz IPS panel by AU Optronics – the ASUS VG279QM. What makes this gaming monitor stand out from the rest of the crowd is ASUS’ unique ELMB-Sync (Extreme Low Motion Blur - Sync) technology coupled with its factory over-clockable 280Hz refresh rate.
The ASUS VG279QM uses the IPS, LED technology, which makes it no different from other models that use the same panel. This monitor comes with 400-nit peak brightness, 8-bit color depth, 178° viewing angles, 1,000:1 static contrast ratio, and 99% sRGB (standard-Red Green Blue) gamut. In terms of picture quality, you get an overall bright picture with vivid and consistent colors. The picture won’t shift in color, contrast, or brightness irrespective of the angle from which you are viewing the screen. The ASUS VG279QM supports HDR (High Dynamic Range) and carries VESA’s DisplayHDR 400 certificate.
With just about 2ms of delay, the ASUS VG279QM has an impressive input lag performance. Its pixel response time performance is very good, as well. The monitor comes with six response time overdrive modes which can be customized by means of the TraceFree feature found in the OSD (On-Screen Display) menu of the monitor; modes scale from 0 to 100, in increments of 20. AMD FreeSync is supported with a 48-280Hz VRR (variable refresh rate) range, and NVIDIA certifies the monitor as ‘G-SYNC Compatible’ for flawless performance without any tearing, stuttering, or flickering.
ASUS calls their MBR technology used in this monitor as ‘Extreme Low Motion Blur’ or ELMB. The ELMB-Sync allows ELMB and FreeSync to be enabled simultaneously. For the best performance while backlight strobing, your frame rate should be as close as to the monitor’s refresh rate as possible, to eliminate trailing behind fast-moving objects for better motion clarity. You can also run ELMB without FreeSync at fixed refresh rates of 120Hz, 144Hz, 240Hz, 270Hz, and 280Hz, but the overdrive setting will again be locked.
The maximum brightness of the ASUS VG279QM monitor peaks at around 200-nits, while the ELMB/ELMB-Sync is enabled.
The OSD menu of this gaming monitor is well-organized. You’ll also find the overclocking option in the OSD menu as well as Shadow Boost (improves visibility in darker games), a low-blue light filter, and other conventional display adjustments as well. Some of the other gaming-specific features present in this monitor include ASUS’ standard GamePlus utilities, including custom crosshairs, an FPS/Hz tracker, on-screen timers, display alignment, and the new Sniper feature, for increased precision in FPS games.
Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports, a single DisplayPort 1.2 input, a headphones jack, and dual 2W integrated speakers.
To wrap up, the ASUS VG279QM is a great gaming monitor for the price.
LG ULTRAGEAR 24GL600F
Key Specifications
Display: 23.6-inch TN LCD Panel
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
Adaptive Sync: FreeSync (48Hz-144Hz)
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
Response Time: 1ms (GtG), 1ms (MPRT)
Connectivity Ports: DisplayPort 1.2, 2x HDMI 2.0, Headphone Jack
Special Features: Anti Glare Screen, Blue Light Filter, Wall Mountable, Tilt Adjustment, Flicker-Free
For a budget-friendly entry-level 144Hz gaming monitor, the LG 24GL600F encompasses all that a competitive FPS gamer might need, such as low input lag, quick response time, FreeSync, and Motion Blur Reduction.
The LG 24GL600F monitor uses a standard TN panel with a 1,000:1 static contrast ratio, a 300-nit peak brightness, and dithered 8-bit color depth (6-bit + 2-bit FRC, 16.7 million colors). While the colors offered by this screen may not be as vibrant as that of IPS and VA panel displays, with the LG UltraGear 24GL600F, you get a faster 1ms response time speed (as opposed to 4ms-5ms of IPS/VA) for fast-paced games.
The monitor is also equipped with eye-care features such as a flicker-free backlight and a low-blue light filter, so you can game for prolonged hours to an end without eye fatigue.
The LG 24GL600F is the ideal fit for professional gaming, as it comes with a top-notch input lag performance of about 4ms of delay at 144Hz. The response time speed of 1ms (GtG) removes all trailing and motion blur of fast-moving objects. For CRT-like motion clarity you can also switch to the 1ms Motion Blur Reduction (MBR) technology, via backlight strobing. This technology introduces flicker, lowers maximum brightness while activated, and can only work at 120Hz or 144Hz.
This gaming monitor also supports AMD FreeSync, in order to provide a variable refresh rate (VRR) for a great gaming experience, if you have a compatible graphics card. As long as your FPS (Frames Per Second) rate is within the VRR range of 48-144Hz, FreeSync removes all screen tearing and stuttering.
The LG 24GL600F features an advanced and better-organized OSD (On-Screen Display) menu in comparison to LG’s previous generation displays. Gaming features include Black Stabilizer (increases visibility of objects in the dark without overexposing the bright areas), Crosshair (customizable crosshair overlays), Game Mode (pre-calibrated FPS and RTS picture presets, plus two customizable profiles), and Response Time/Overdrive (Off, Normal, Fast, Faster).
Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.2, two HDMI 2.0 ports, and a headphones jack. AMD FreeSync is supported over both DP and HDMI with a 48-144Hz VRR range.
Overall, the LG 24GL600F is an excellent gaming monitor for the price.
LG ULTRAGEAR 27GL850
Key Specifications
Display: 27-inch Nano-IPS LED Panel
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 2560 x 1440 pixels
Adaptive Sync: Radeon FreeSync, NVIDIA G-Sync Compatible
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
Response Time: 1ms (GtG)
Connectivity Ports: 2HDMI, 1DisplayPort (v1.4), Headphone Jack, dual-USB 3.0 Hub
Special Features: Flicker-Free Screen, Integrated Low-Blue Light Filter, Game Mode Pre-Calibrated Picture Presets
Claiming to be the first entrant in the IPS gaming monitor segment with a 1ms GtG pixel response rate, The LG UltraGear 27GL850 delivers exactly what it promises – vibrant and stunning colours with a crystal-clear fast-paced action.
The LG UltraGear 27GL850 offers gorgeous and stunning colors with dithered 10-bit color support, thanks to the Nano IPS panel with 98% DCI-P3 color gamut (135% sRGB). The monitor also supports HDR (High Dynamic Range) but it lacks local dimming for a noteworthy HDR viewing experience. Overall, as the monitor has a peak brightness of 350-nits, some HDR content may look slightly better, but most of the time, you’ll just get washed out colors. Irrespective of the drawbacks associated with HDR compatibility, the image quality of the LG UltraGear 27GL850 is beyond excellent, when taking its price into consideration. The 1440p resolution when coupled with the pixel density offered by the monitor, hits all the right spots to deliver a stunning visual experience with crystal-clear and sharp details.
When coupled with the input lag of about 4ms, this gaming monitor delivers a buttery smooth gaming performance, which is exactly what professional gamers look for. The variable refresh rate (VRR) provided by the AMD FreeSync, eliminates all screen tearing and stuttering within the 48-144Hz/FPS range (LFC supported) by synchronizing the frame rate of your GPU at minimal input lag penalty (~1ms), with the monitor’s refresh rate.
Finally, the monitor features an integrated low-blue light filter along with a flicker-free screen, which allows you to enjoy long gaming sessions without causing strain to your eyes. There’s also a low-haze (25%) anti-glare coating, which eliminates the reflections but preserves the image quality.
The OSD (On-Screen Display) menu of the LG 27GL850 is well-organized and easy to navigate. Besides this, some of the gamer-specific features offered by this gaming monitor include the two customizable Gamer profiles along with Game Mode pre-calibrated picture presets. Other features include Cross Hair (custom crosshair overlays), Black Stabilizer (improves visibility in darker games) and advanced picture adjustments. There’s no backlight strobing technology (Motion Blur Reduction) and no RGB lighting, although it’s not necessary; thanks to the monitor’s excellent pixel response time performance.
The connectivity options offered by LG in this UltraGear offering include a single DisplayPort 1.4 input, two HDMI 2.0 ports, a dual-USB 3.0 hub and a headphones jack. It must be noted that the FreeSync range is limited to 100Hz, even though the HDMI connectors support 1440p up to 144Hz.
In conclusion, considering all the gaming monitors available at the price offering of the LG 27GL850, this is by far the best 27″ 1440p 144Hz IPS gaming monitors that is currently available.
ASUS ROG SWIFT PG27UQ
Key Specifications
Display: 27-inch IPS LED Panel
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
Adaptive Sync: G-SYNC Ultimate
Refresh Rate: 98Hz with 10-bit colour, 120Hz with 8-bit colour, 144Hz with chroma subsampling
Response Time: 4ms (GtG)
Connectivity Ports: DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0
Special Features: Blue Light Filter, Flicker-Free, Frameless, Built-In Speakers
If you’re looking for the absolute best gaming monitor money can buy, the ASUS ROG Swift PG27UQ is the creme-de-la-creme of gaming monitors. It has everything you need and more.
The build quality is phenomenal and the display is 4k (up to 144 Hz with NVIDIA's G-SYNC) and has a wide color gamut. The RGB lighting is the icing on the cake. But of course there is a caveat- the expensive price tag.
The display is an IPS panel with 10-bit color depth and has a 178 degree viewing angle. Aside from this, it covers 97% of DCI-P3 color space and 99% of Adobe RGB, making this the perfect monitor for colour critical work. For all you professional video editors and content creators, who are also avid gamers, this is the holy grail that you have been looking for so long.
The HDR with a contrast ratio of 50000:1 and a peak luminance of 1000 nits shows extreme separation between the highlights and shadows. Of course, with the monitor being 4k ultra HD, the screen real estate is an impressive 27 inches with a pixel density of 163 pixels per inches.
In standard user case scenarios, the color depth is dropped to 8 bit but that does not matter at all because it is not noticeable. The input lag is a mere 7 ms at 120 hz which means no screen artifacts at all. The performance is nothing less than stellar.
As with most high-end ASUS monitors, there are the usual standard features like GameVisual and GamePlus, on-screen timers, along with the FPS, RTS, RPG (Role-playing games), Racing, Cinema, sRGB, and Custom picture presets. The light sensor works just like it should by taking into account the ambient brightness.
Unfortunately there is a feature that is missing. The NVIDIA ultra low-blur motion. But so far, it hasn't been an issue.
The design is ergonomic and is quite comfortable. As for connectivity, there is HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, a headphone jack, and a dual-USB 3.0 port.
To conclude, this is a monitor that performs extremely well and is highly recommended. The only thing that could be holding you back is the hefty price tag.
There you go! These are the best gaming monitors under a variable price gamut, so that you can pick one according to your budget.
In case you are on the lookout for monitors delivering a smooth gaming experience, then we would suggest that you should go for something with a higher refresh rate and response time.
However, if you prioritize the aesthetics of the game over performance, then a larger monitor of an HDR or 4K screen resolution should be your best bet. This usually comes along with a higher price tag and would definitely increase the workload of your system, so make sure that your system can deal with it.
Still in doubt? Drop a comment below and we’ll gladly help you out!
Before we leave, we would like to know: what aspect of gaming do you focus on? Do you incline toward smoother performance for serious gaming or just the aesthetics designs more? There are no off-base answers here, and we'd just love to hear your thoughts!
