Good news, gamers! Now you can buy some high-performance gaming monitors without giving away a fortune. Although they may lack some advanced features, they can greatly enhance your gaming experience with quality visuals, a high refresh rate, and a low response time. So, let’s dive into the factors for finding the perfect budget gaming monitor for your setup.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Budget Gaming Monitor
When searching for the ideal budget gaming monitor, you must compromise on some factors and prioritize others. Below are all the factors to consider and ways to make the most out of them.
Screen Size and Resolution
- Ideal screen size for gaming: While larger monitors offer a more immersive display, they may not be affordable. A 24-27 inch monitor is typically a good balance between size and affordability.
- Resolution options for budget monitors: Higher resolutions offer crisper images, but they drive up the price. Aim for at least 1080p (Full HD) for a budget monitor, but it’s worth considering if you can find a 1440p (QHD) display within your budget.
Panel Type
Here are the three types of panels you’ll come across when looking for a gaming monitor.
- TN panels: These are the most affordable and offer fast response times, making them a popular choice for competitive gamers. However, they have limited color accuracy and viewing angles.
- IPS panels: Well-regarded for their exceptional color accuracy and wide viewing angles, IPS monitors are great for gaming and creative work. They tend to be pricier than TN monitors, but the improved graphics may be worth the investment.
- VA panels: VA panels offer better contrast ratios and color depth than TN panels, but their response times are slower. However, they can be considered an adequate compromise between TN and IPS monitors.
Refresh Rate
If you are a fast-paced gamer, you need a high refresh rate.
- The importance of high refresh rates: Monitors with higher refresh rates can display more frames per second (FPS), reducing motion blur and providing a smoother gaming experience.
- Minimum and ideal refresh rates for gaming: Look for a monitor with at least a 75Hz refresh rate, but aim for 144Hz or higher if possible.
Response Time
A low response time reduces ghosting and motion blur, making for a more enjoyable gaming experience.
- Understanding response time: Response time is how fast a pixel can transition from one color to another, measured in milliseconds (ms).
- Ideal response times for gaming: Gaming requires extremely fast response times. A monitor with 5ms or low is great, though 1ms is the gold standard for competitive gaming.
Adaptive Sync Technology
Adaptive Sync Technology provides a better gaming experience by preventing issues like tearing or stuttering.
- NVIDIA G-Sync: Compatible with NVIDIA graphics cards, G-Sync monitors can be more expensive due to licensing fees.
- AMD FreeSync: FreeSync monitors are usually more affordable than their G-Sync counterparts and compatible with AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards (with some limitations).
How to Get the Best Deals on Budget Gaming Monitors
Consider these tips when shopping for a budget gaming monitor to ensure you get the most bang for your buck.
Timing Your Purchase
Strategic timing can help you save big on your gaming monitor.
- Seasonal sales: Keep an eye out for deals during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and end-of-year clearance events.
- Holiday deals: Retailers often offer discounts during federal, national, or public holidays like Labour Day and Memorial Day.
Online vs. Brick-and-Mortar Stores
Each shopping method has its pros and cons.
- Pros of online shopping: Online retailers usually have a better range of products and competitive prices, providing the added bonus of shopping without leaving the house.
- Cons of online shopping: You can’t see the monitor in person before purchasing, and returns may be more complicated.
- Pros of brick-and-mortar stores: You can see the monitor in person, test it out, and get hands-on assistance from store employees.
- Cons of brick-and-mortar stores: Stores may have limited stock, less variety, and higher prices as compared to online stores.
Refurbished or Open-Box Monitors
Purchasing a refurbished or open-box monitor can save you money while still getting a quality product.
- Benefits of refurbished monitors: These monitors have been returned, repaired, and tested to ensure they meet manufacturer standards, often at a significant discount.
- Potential risks and how to mitigate them: Refurbished monitors may have cosmetic imperfections, limited warranties, or be missing original packaging. To minimize risks, buy from reputable retailers, check warranty terms, and read customer reviews.
FAQs
1. Is investing in an ultra-wide gaming monitor on a budget is worthwhile?
Ultra-wide monitors can be more immersive but often come with a higher price tag. It could be worth considering if your budget allows and you prioritize an expansive gaming experience. However, a standard widescreen monitor with a high refresh rate and low response time is likely a better choice if you’re on a tight budget.
2. Can a TV work as a gaming monitor in a pinch?
While TVs can be used for gaming, they generally have higher input lag and slower response times than dedicated gaming monitors, which can affect gameplay. If possible, it’s better to invest in a budget gaming monitor which is particularly designed for the purpose.
3. Are curved monitors better for gaming?
Well, a curved monitor wraps the display around your field of view, creating the feeling of a more immersive game. However, the benefits are subjective; not all gamers find them necessary. It really just depends on what you prefer and can afford.
Conclusion
Finding the best budget gaming monitor in 2023 doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By prioritizing key features like resolution, panel type, refresh rate, response time, and adaptive sync technology, you can enhance your gaming experience without breaking the bank.
Don’t forget to check out our top picks, which can even go for under $300. Keep an eye out for deals, consider refurbished or open-box options, and weigh the pros and cons of online vs. brick-and-mortar shopping to find the perfect monitor for your gaming setup.
