Best Gaming Monitors Under $150: Top Budget Picks for Gamers

In the world of gaming, you don’t need to break the bank to find an excellent monitor. For under $150, you can get a powerful, reliable gaming monitor that brings your games to life with vibrant colors, smooth visuals, and responsiveness that matches your reflexes. This guide will help you identify top monitors under $150 that provide high-quality performance without a high price tag.

TL;DR

Here are the key takeaways for choosing a gaming monitor under $150:

• Resolution & Size: For sharp visuals, stick with a 24-inch 1080p display.
• Refresh Rates: A 75Hz rate is standard, but 144Hz+ options exist for smoother gaming.
• Panel Type: VA and IPS panels offer great colors, while TN is faster for high-action games.
• Syncing: FreeSync is common, reducing stutter on AMD GPUs.
• Connectivity: Look for HDMI, VGA, and sometimes DisplayPort for versatility.

Best Gaming Monitors Under $150: Top Picks

What Makes a Great Gaming Monitor Under $150?

When searching for a top gaming monitor under $150, key features bring out the best performance for budget-conscious gamers. These monitors focus on delivering essential gaming specifications, balancing affordability with functionality. Here’s what defines these standout budget monitors:

Resolution & Size

• Clear Visuals: Most monitors in this price range offer a 24-inch Full HD (1920×1080) display, providing crisp visuals that enhance game detail and immersion.
• Extended Screen Options: Some budget monitors offer 27 inches, though at this size, Full HD resolution may appear slightly less sharp due to lower pixel density.

Smooth Refresh Rates

• Standard Rates: The most common refresh rates for under-$150 monitors range from 60Hz to 75Hz, ideal for casual gaming and smoother screen transitions.
• Higher Refresh Rates: Some models, like the LG UltraGear, push up to 144Hz or 165Hz, ensuring fast, fluid motion that’s perfect for competitive gaming environments.

Fast Response Times

• General Performance: Many budget monitors have a response time around 5ms, minimizing motion blur in moderate gameplay.
• Quick-Response Models: Models like the AOC C24G1A offer ultra-fast 1ms response times, crucial for high-speed, action-heavy gaming.

Panel Types for Every Preference

• TN Panels: Known for low lag, TN panels prioritize speed, although they may sacrifice color accuracy and viewing angles.
• IPS Panels: These panels provide richer colors and wider viewing angles, great for vivid, immersive play.
• VA Panels: VA panels offer deeper contrast, creating bolder visuals but can introduce minor ghosting at high speeds.

Syncing Technologies

• AMD FreeSync: FreeSync technology is standard in many budget monitors, helping to sync with compatible GPUs to reduce screen tearing and stuttering.
• NVIDIA G-Sync Compatibility: Rare but available on select models, G-Sync compatibility provides similar benefits for NVIDIA GPU users.

Solid Build Quality & Ergonomics

• Durability & Design: These monitors typically use plastic frames that, while simple, are built to last. Many feature sleek designs with thin bezels for a modern look.
• Adjustability Options: While most budget monitors offer basic tilt functions, some come with VESA mounting compatibility, allowing flexible positioning.

Connectivity Choices

• Standard Ports: HDMI and VGA are common, and some models add DisplayPort for better refresh rate support.
• USB Options: USB ports are rare on budget monitors, so direct peripheral connections are limited.

Color & Brightness Quality

• sRGB Spectrum: Most monitors in this category cover 90-100% of the sRGB range, providing adequate color for gaming and media.
• Brightness Levels: Average brightness ranges from 250-300 nits, best suited for indoor environments but manageable in moderate light settings.

Monitors under $150 offer budget-friendly entry points into gaming, prioritizing essential features to provide quality visuals, smoother motion, and responsive gameplay. These monitors are ideal for gamers who want solid performance without overspending, making them a fantastic option for enhancing any gaming setup.

Essential Buying Criteria for Gaming Monitors Under $150

Resolution and Screen Size: Get Sharp Visuals on a Budget

When selecting a budget gaming monitor, aim for a 24-inch screen with a 1080p (Full HD) resolution. This resolution and size combination delivers a crisp, clear picture, perfect for immersive gameplay without straining your wallet. While larger screens, like 27 inches, are sometimes available, the pixel density decreases at 1080p, resulting in slightly softer images. Sticking with a 24-inch 1080p monitor ensures your gaming experience remains sharp and visually appealing, making it a top choice for budget-conscious gamers who still want a high-quality display.

Refresh Rate: Smoother Gaming with Higher Rates

A monitor’s refresh rate impacts how smoothly images transition during gameplay. For fast-paced games, a refresh rate of 144Hz or more offers a noticeable advantage, making animations look fluid and reducing motion blur. Budget monitors commonly range from 60Hz to 75Hz, suitable for casual play, but higher refresh rates improve the experience significantly. Gamers interested in competitive or action-heavy games should prioritize 144Hz+ monitors like the LG UltraGear 24GQ50F-B, ensuring every movement looks smooth and helps enhance reaction time, even in intense scenarios.

Response Time: Minimize Ghosting and Motion Blur

Response time is crucial for gamers, as it affects how quickly pixels can change colors, impacting clarity during fast movements. A monitor with a 1ms to 5ms response time is ideal for minimizing ghosting and motion blur, keeping images sharp and clean even in action-packed scenes. Monitors like the AOC C24G1A, with its quick 1ms response time, offer enhanced clarity, especially in fast-action sequences. For general use, a 5ms response time is adequate, but competitive gamers should look for models closer to the 1ms mark to ensure the clearest visuals during gameplay.

Panel Type: Choose Based on Color and Speed Needs

Monitors come with various panel types, each offering unique benefits. IPS panels are known for vibrant colors and wider viewing angles, perfect for players who value visual quality. However, TN panels are faster, making them ideal for high-speed games, though they sacrifice some color richness and viewing angles. VA panels, while offering deeper contrast and blacks, may introduce slight ghosting in fast action. Budget-conscious gamers can choose based on priorities: IPS for color fidelity, TN for speed, and VA for a balance of contrast and response, ensuring their monitor fits their gameplay style.

Adaptive Sync: Smooth, Tear-Free Gameplay

Adaptive Sync technology, like AMD FreeSync or NVIDIA G-Sync, is a game-changer for budget monitors. These technologies synchronize the monitor’s refresh rate with the GPU to reduce screen tearing and stuttering. Many budget monitors under $150 come with FreeSync, making it easier for AMD GPU users to enjoy a smoother experience. Some monitors also include G-Sync compatibility, enhancing visuals for NVIDIA users. Choosing a monitor with Adaptive Sync is highly recommended for gamers who want uninterrupted, fluid gameplay, as it significantly reduces distracting visual artifacts during intense moments.

Connectivity: Essential Ports for Versatile Use

For a versatile gaming setup, ensure your monitor includes essential ports like HDMI and DisplayPort, allowing connections with modern gaming consoles and computers. DisplayPort is particularly beneficial for achieving higher refresh rates, while HDMI provides compatibility across a broad range of devices. VGA ports are common on budget models for compatibility with older systems, though they don’t support higher refresh rates. For gamers with various devices, a monitor with multiple connectivity options ensures flexibility and ease of setup, especially when using several peripherals or older gaming systems.

Ergonomics: Comfort for Extended Gaming Sessions

Extended gaming sessions call for ergonomic features that enhance comfort, such as height-adjustable stands or VESA mount compatibility. Budget monitors often come with basic tilt-only stands, but options like the HP 24mh FHD include height adjustments, enabling users to position the screen comfortably. VESA mounting options also allow flexibility in monitor positioning, making it easy to install the monitor on a stand or wall. Ergonomic features are essential for maintaining a comfortable setup, especially for users who spend extended periods gaming or working on their displays.

Practical Tests for Evaluating Quality of Gaming Monitors

Refresh Rate Test: Ensure Smooth Motion

A refresh rate test helps confirm that your monitor can maintain its advertised rate, ensuring smooth motion and better gameplay. Online tools are available to test refresh rates, allowing users to verify whether their monitor consistently performs at its maximum potential. By running a refresh rate test, gamers can ensure their monitor’s performance is optimized for smooth transitions, particularly during fast-paced games. Higher refresh rates, such as 144Hz, will enhance gameplay fluidity, making this test essential for users who want to confirm a monitor’s quality.

Response Time Test: Check for Motion Clarity

Testing response time is crucial for evaluating motion clarity. Running a moving object test online can help identify ghosting or motion blur, which occurs when pixels take too long to change colors. A quick response time, such as 1ms, minimizes these effects, making gameplay visually sharper and more enjoyable. If you notice blurred visuals during these tests, it could indicate a higher response time than advertised. For competitive gamers, ensuring a low response time is essential to maintaining a clear, uninterrupted gaming experience, even in action-packed scenarios.

Color Accuracy: Test for Vibrant and True Colors

Color accuracy is essential for immersive gaming, as it ensures colors appear true to life. Using color calibration tools can help test and adjust color accuracy, ensuring the monitor displays vibrant, realistic images. Many budget monitors cover 90-100% of the sRGB spectrum, sufficient for gaming and media consumption. Running a color accuracy test allows users to see how well the monitor represents colors and make necessary adjustments. Accurate color reproduction enhances visual enjoyment, especially in games with complex, colorful environments.

Viewing Angles: Confirm Consistent Colors from All Angles

Viewing angles impact how colors and brightness appear from different perspectives. IPS panels offer wide viewing angles, so colors remain consistent when viewed from various positions. To test, view the monitor from different angles, checking for color shifts or brightness loss. Narrow viewing angles may lead to color distortion when viewed from the side. Ensuring that the monitor has good viewing angles is particularly valuable for users who move around their setup or share their screen with others during gameplay or multimedia viewing.

Screen Tearing Check: Verify Adaptive Sync Functionality

To confirm your monitor’s Adaptive Sync performance, a screen tearing test can help identify any stuttering or tearing. By using an online syncing tool, users can ensure FreeSync or G-Sync is functioning correctly. Adaptive Sync aligns the monitor’s refresh rate with the GPU, reducing visual disruptions and creating a smoother experience, particularly in fast-paced games. Verifying Adaptive Sync helps confirm that the monitor provides fluid visuals without interruptions, ideal for immersive gameplay where screen tearing could be distracting.

Conclusion

Gaming monitors under $150 bring exceptional value, offering a range of features that cater to both gaming and productivity needs without breaking the bank. These budget-friendly models often balance performance with affordability, making them ideal for both casual users and competitive gamers. Whether you’re after high refresh rates for fluid gameplay, accurate color reproduction for immersive visuals, or ergonomic flexibility for comfortable use, there’s a monitor within this price range to suit your setup and gaming style. With the right choice, you can elevate your gaming experience while keeping costs low. Here’s to finding the perfect budget monitor—happy gaming!

FAQs on Best Gaming Monitors Under $150

Are there gaming monitors under $150 with a high refresh rate?

Yes, several budget monitors like the LG UltraGear 24GQ50F-B offer 144Hz or higher refresh rates.

What is the best screen size for gaming under $150?

A 24-inch monitor with Full HD resolution is a popular choice for sharp visuals without stretching pixels.

Can I get an adjustable stand on a monitor under $150?

Yes, models like the HP 24mh offer height and tilt adjustments for improved comfort.

Which panel type is better for gaming, IPS or TN?

TN panels are faster for response times, but IPS panels offer better color and viewing angles, making them ideal for casual gaming.

How important is AMD FreeSync for budget monitors?

FreeSync reduces screen tearing, offering a smoother experience in fast-paced games, which is valuable for gaming.