Best Budget Monitors

We’ve been testing this Acer Nitro gaming monitor for a while now, and it’s impressed us with its performance for the price. The 165Hz refresh rate makes a big difference in fast-paced games. Everything looks smoother and more fluid compared to standard 60Hz displays.

The FreeSync Premium feature works well to cut down on screen tearing. We noticed much less stuttering and choppiness, even in graphically demanding titles. The 1ms response time also helps keep the action looking crisp without much blur.

We like the slim bezels, which give the monitor a more premium look than its price suggests. The stand feels sturdy, though it only offers tilt adjustment. For more flexibility, we’d recommend using the VESA mount option. While the VA panel produces decent contrast, we found the colors a bit muted compared to IPS displays. The 250 nits brightness is okay for most rooms but might struggle with glare in very bright spaces.

We’ve spent some time with the Dell SE2422HX, and it’s a nice budget-friendly option for home or office use. The 24-inch screen feels roomy enough for most tasks, and the slim bezels give it a modern look. We like how it doesn’t take up too much desk space.

The Full HD picture looks sharp and colorful to our eyes. Text is easy to read, and videos play smoothly thanks to the 75Hz refresh rate. We noticed less eye strain after long work sessions, likely due to the ComfortView feature that cuts down on blue light.

Setting up the monitor was a breeze. We just plugged it in and connected an HDMI cable. The built-in cable management helps keep things tidy. While we wish it had more adjustment options, the tilt feature lets us find a decent viewing angle. For the price, we think it’s a good value that’ll serve most people well for everyday computing needs.

The Acer KC242Y impressed us with its performance for the price. Its 23.8-inch Full HD screen delivers crisp images that look great for everyday tasks and casual gaming. We found the colors to be vibrant and the text sharp enough for comfortable reading.

Gaming on this monitor was a pleasant surprise. The 100Hz refresh rate made motion look smoother than standard 60Hz displays. AMD FreeSync also helped eliminate screen tearing, which we really liked during fast-paced games.

We appreciated the slim bezels, which give the KC242Y a modern look. It’s nice for multi-monitor setups too. The downside is the stand, which only tilts. We wished it had height adjustment, but at this price, it’s not a deal-breaker.

For connectivity, you get HDMI and VGA ports. We liked having both digital and analog options. The 1ms VRB response time was good for reducing motion blur, though not as effective as true 1ms GTG panels.

The KC242Y isn’t perfect, but it offers a lot of value. If you’re on a tight budget and want a decent-sized screen for work or play, it’s a solid pick. Just don’t expect top-tier performance or features at this price point.

We’ve spent a lot of time with this Sceptre monitor, and it’s a solid performer for the price. The 24-inch screen gives plenty of space for work or play. Colors look good thanks to the 99% sRGB coverage, though they’re not as vibrant as pricier IPS panels we’ve tested.

For gaming, the 3ms response time keeps motion blur in check. Fast-paced games feel responsive, even if the 60Hz refresh rate isn’t ideal for competitive play. We appreciate the inclusion of both HDMI and VGA inputs, which adds flexibility for connecting different devices.

Build quality is decent, but adjustability is limited to just tilt. The speakers get the job done for basic audio, but we’d recommend headphones or external speakers for a better experience. All in all, it’s a capable budget monitor that won’t break the bank.

When we set up the Samsung T35F, we were impressed by its slim bezels. The screen almost seems to float in midair. Colors look vivid and stay accurate even when viewing from the sides thanks to the IPS panel.

We noticed the 75Hz refresh rate made scrolling and light gaming feel smoother than standard 60Hz monitors. For casual use and office work, it’s a nice step up. The built-in FreeSync also helped eliminate screen tearing in games.

At 27 inches, some may find the 1080p resolution a bit low for the size. Text isn’t as crisp as higher-res screens. But for most everyday tasks, we found it perfectly usable. The Eye Saver mode came in handy for late night use by cutting down on blue light.

We tested the Sceptre 24″ Gaming Monitor and found it to be a capable budget option. The 1080p resolution looks crisp on the 24-inch screen. Games ran smoothly thanks to the 100Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. We noticed minimal motion blur during fast-paced action.

The monitor’s color accuracy impressed us for the price. It covers 100% of the sRGB color space, which is great for casual photo editing or content creation. The matte screen finish helps reduce glare in bright rooms.

Connectivity is a strong point. We appreciated having two HDMI ports and a VGA input for older devices. The built-in speakers are functional but lack bass and volume. We recommend using headphones or external speakers for a better audio experience.

The blue light filter is a nice touch for reducing eye strain during long gaming sessions. While the stand only offers tilt adjustment, the monitor is VESA mount compatible for more flexibility.

For gamers on a tight budget, this Sceptre monitor delivers good performance without breaking the bank. It lacks some premium features, but it nails the basics for enjoyable gaming and everyday use.

We tested the Sceptre 20″ monitor and found it offers good value for its price. The 1600×900 resolution provides sharp images for everyday tasks. Colors looked vivid, though not as rich as pricier IPS panels.

The slim design takes up little desk space. We liked having both HDMI and VGA inputs for connecting different devices. The 5ms response time handled most motion well, but serious gamers may want something faster.

Sound from the built-in speakers was underwhelming, so we’d suggest external speakers or headphones. The stand only tilts, limiting positioning options. For basic home office or student use, this budget-friendly Sceptre gets the job done without breaking the bank.

The Acer SH242Y impressed us with its sleek design and solid performance. We found the 23.8-inch IPS panel to deliver vibrant colors and wide viewing angles, making it great for both office work and casual gaming.

Setting up the monitor was a breeze. The stand clicked into place easily, and we liked how it allowed us to adjust the height, tilt, and swivel to find our perfect viewing position. The thin bezels gave it a modern look that fit nicely on our desk.

When we fired up some fast-paced games, the 100Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync technology really shined. We noticed smoother motion and less screen tearing compared to standard 60Hz displays. The 1ms response time also kept ghosting to a minimum during quick movements.

For everyday use, the Full HD resolution provided sharp text and clear images. We found it more than adequate for spreadsheets, web browsing, and watching videos. The built-in blue light filter was a nice touch for long work sessions, helping reduce eye strain.

While the monitor performed well overall, we did notice a few drawbacks. The speakers were pretty weak, so we’d recommend using headphones or external speakers for better audio. We also wished for more connectivity options, as it only has one HDMI and one VGA port.

In our tests, the color accuracy was good enough for casual use, but professionals might want something with wider color gamut coverage. Despite these minor issues, we think the Acer SH242Y offers excellent value for its price point.

We tested the Dell S2425HS for several weeks in our home office setup. Right away, we noticed how easy it was to assemble and adjust. The stand lets us pivot, tilt, and change the height to find a comfortable viewing position.

The 1080p picture looks sharp for everyday tasks like web browsing and document editing. Colors appear vivid thanks to the IPS panel. We like the anti-glare coating that cuts down on reflections from nearby windows.

Built-in 5W speakers are a nice bonus at this price point. While they won’t blow you away, they’re fine for casual YouTube videos or background music. The 100Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and cursor movements feel smooth.

We appreciate the eye comfort features like ComfortView Plus to reduce blue light. After long work days, our eyes felt less strained compared to older monitors. The slim bezels give it a modern look that fits in well on our desk.

We’ve spent some time with the HP 24mh, and it’s clear why it’s a popular budget option. The 23.8-inch IPS panel delivers crisp visuals with wide viewing angles. Colors pop nicely, and text looks sharp. We found the 75Hz refresh rate smooth for everyday tasks and light gaming.

One standout feature is the adjustable stand. We could easily find a comfy viewing position by tweaking the height and tilt. This isn’t common at this price point. The thin bezels also give it a modern look that we like.

Connectivity is good for the price. We plugged in our laptop via HDMI and a gaming console through DisplayPort with no issues. The VGA port is there if you need it for older devices. While the built-in speakers are handy in a pinch, they lack oomph. We’d suggest external speakers or headphones for better audio.