A decent gaming monitor is a must if you really want to enjoy gaming. There are hundreds of gaming monitors in the market each claiming to be the best. So, if you’re looking to buy one, the choices are overwhelming. You’ll be flooded with monitors of different sizes, refresh rates, response times, etc. Some of them are very expensive.
The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune on gaming monitors. There are a lot of gaming monitors that offer top-notch performance for gaming which can be bought for just under $300. The only thing you need to know is what to look for in a gaming monitor and how to pick one that matches your requirements.
You don’t have to worry, I have picked the best gaming monitors under $300 in the market right now. You can select one or more among them that will match your requirements. I’ve also given a detailed explanation of what aspects to look for in a gaming monitor.
- Related: Best 1080p 144Hz Monitors for Gaming
- Related: Best 240Hz Gaming Monitors
- Related: Best Monitor for GTX 1660 Ti, GTX 1660 Super and GTX 1660
After reading this article you’ll have a list of the best gaming monitors under $300 and also have in-depth knowledge about how to choose the best monitor that is right for you.
Here are our Top 4 Best Gaming Monitors Under $300
| Top Pick | Best Overall | High Refresh Rate | Best for 4K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asus VG259Q | AOC CQ27G1 | Acer XF250Q | Asus VP28UQG |
 |  |  |  |
| ➕ Best for 1080p Gaming | ➕ Best for 1440p Gaming | ➕ Great Price to Performance | ➕ Best for Gaming in 4K Resolution |
| ➕ Fast Response Time | ➕ Great Contrast | ➕ 240Hz Refresh Rate | ➕ FreeSync Support |
| ➕ Ergonomic Design | ➕ Strong Build Quality | ➕ Best for eSports Gaming | ➕ Affordable Price |
| Check the Latest Price on Amazon | Check the Latest Price on Amazon | Check the Latest Price on Amazon | Check the Latest Price on Amazon |
Here is the Complete List of the Best Gaming Monitors under $300
| Preview | Model Name | Screen Size | Resolution | Refresh rate / Response Time (GtG) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ASUS VG279Q | 27 inches | 1920 x 1080 | 144Hz / 3ms | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Acer Nitro VG271 | 27 inches | 1920 x 1080 | 144Hz / 3ms | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Acer XF250Q | 24.5 inches | 1920 x 1080 | 240Hz / 1ms | Check Price on Amazon |
 | AOC CQ27G1 | 27 inches | 2560 x 1440 | 144Hz / 4ms | Check Price on Amazon |
 | AOPEN 27ML1U | 27 inches | 2560 x 1440 | 75Hz / 4ms | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Asus VP28UQG | 28 inches | 3840 x 2160 | 60Hz / 1ms | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Sceptre C305B-200UN | 30 inches | 2560 x 1080 | 200Hz / 5ms | Check Price on Amazon |
ASUS VG279Q - Best Gaming Monitor under $300
Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Refresh rate: 144Hz
Response Time(GtG): 3 ms
Panel Type: IPS
Input Connectors: 1xHDMI 1.4, 1xDisplayPort 1.2, 1xDual-Link DVI-D
Adaptive sync: Supports FreeSync and GSync
What’s Good
- Great Color Quality
- Anti-motion Blur
- Fully Ergonomic Design
- Fast response times
- Plenty of Gaming Features
What’s Bad
- Average Panel Uniformity
The ASUS VG279Q is a 27-inch 1080p 144Hz monitor having an IPS panel. The color accuracy and image quality are top-notch. The contrast and brightness levels are also decent. The screen has an anti-glare matte black coating on it. This will help eliminate any distracting reflections while gaming.
It has a premium build quality and the overall design is also aesthetically pleasing. The monitor has a fully ergonomic design and the stand will help you adjust the height, tilt the monitor, swivel it, and also pivot it at 90 degrees. The monitor also supports wall mounting using the VESA mount.
The monitor has a refresh rate of 144Hz and a response time of 3ms (GtG). These will be more than enough to provide you with a smooth gaming experience without any lags. The monitor also supports FreeSync and G-SYNC technologies that allow you to have a tear-free gaming experience.
The is a true gaming monitor at its heart. It comes with many features useful for gamers. Flicker-free technology reduces flickering and minimizes distractions. Ultra-Blue Light Technology will reduce the amount of blue light and will allow you to play for long hours.
The GamePlus technology will give you in-game enhancements like custom crosshairs, timers, FPS counter, etc to give you an extra edge. GameVisual technology will give you access to different game modes. You will be able to set one for different types of games you play.
There are also enough connectivity options. You get 1x HDMI (v1.4), 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 1x Dual-link DVI-D ports. It also has a 3.5mm earphone jack and 3.5mm AV audio input. You also get a 2x2W inbuilt speakers that are average.
Related Monitors
Acer Nitro VG271 - Best Value Gaming Monitor under $300
Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Refresh rate: 144Hz
Response Time(GtG): 3 ms
Panel Type: IPS
Input Connectors: HDMI 2.0×2, DisplayPort 1.2×1,
Adaptive sync: Supports FreeSync and GSync
What’s Good
- Great Image Quality
- Wide Viewing Angles
- 144Hz Refresh rate
- Low input lag and Response Time
What’s Bad
- Bad Ergonomics
- HDR performance is mediocre
The Acer Nitro VG271 is a 27-inch 1080p 144Hz gaming monitor. It uses an IPS panel hence the image quality and color reproduction are better than most monitors having TN panels. You will not find your images washed out. This monitor also supports HDR but it is only an entry-level HDR which is a hit or miss.
Most of the time, the images look washed out because of higher contrast when you enable HDR. HDR works only over HDMI. It has a pixel density of 81 PPI which is fine for playing games and watching movies. It also has no issues with backlight bleeding.
The design and build quality are decent. It is back in color with red highlights. The stand is sturdy. The viewing angles are also better than most monitors using TN panels. You can only tilt your monitor. You cannot adjust the height, swivel it, or pivot it. The monitor is VESA compatible so you can wall-mount it.
The has a refresh rate of 144Hz and a response time of 3ms (GtG). These features ensure you have a smooth gaming experience with minimal ghosting. It also supports both FreeSync and G-SYNC. You will have a tear-free gaming experience. The screen is also flicker-free that eliminates other distractions while gaming.
The connectivity options are 2x HDMI 2.0 ports, 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 1x headphones jack. It also has 2W integrated speakers.
Related Monitors
Acer XF250Q - Best 240Hz Gaming Monitor under $300
Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Refresh rate: 240Hz
Response Time(GtG): 1 ms
Panel Type: TN
Input Connectors: 1xHDMI 1.4, 1xHDMI 2.0, 1xDisplayPort 1.2
Adaptive sync: Supports FreeSync and GSync
What’s Good
- 240Hz refresh rate
- Fast Response Times
- Ergonomic design
- Price to performance
What’s Bad
- Narrow viewing angles
- Average image quality
The Acer XF250Q is a 24.5-inch 1080p gaming monitor that uses a TN panel. The 1080p resolution won’t demand much GPU resources, so you can easily hit 120+ FPS with a decent graphics card. The image quality is not the best. You need to calibrate the monitor for better image quality. The brightness levels are good. The screen has no issues of flickering.
The monitor has a fully ergonomic design. You can tilt, swivel the monitor, and adjust its height. You can also wall mount this monitor using the VESA mount. The narrow viewing angles won’t be a problem if you’re facing the monitor directly.
This monitor is a true gaming monitor made especially for hardcore competitive gamers. It has a refresh rate of 240Hz. You’ll have that extra edge you need. The FreeSync and G-SYNC technologies which these monitors support will help you have no screen tearing. They work over both HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort.
The has a super-fast response time of 1ms and an input lag of 3ms. There will be imperceptible motion blur and ghosting during gaming.
Connectivity options include: 2x HDMI 1.4, 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.2. It also has a headphones jack. This monitor also comes with 2x 2W in-built speakers that get the job done.
AOC CQ27G1 - Best 1440p Gaming Monitor under $300
Screen Resolution: 2560 x 1440
Refresh rate: 144Hz
Response Time(GtG): 4 ms
Panel Type: VA
Input Connectors: 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.2
Adaptive sync: Supports FreeSync
What’s Good
- 144Hz Refresh rate
- FreeSync Support
- Good contrast
- Ergonomic design
What’s Bad
- Moderate ghosting
The AOC CQ27G1 is a curved 27-inch 1440p (WQHD) gaming monitor. It is based on the VA panel. The image quality is decent. It is better than most TN monitors of the same price range. The brightness levels are fair. The contrast levels are high which results in deep blacks. It has a pixel density of 108 PPI so the images have good depth in them and are detailed.
The overall design and build quality are impressive. The stand is sturdy. The screen is hardened and has a curvature of 1800R. The viewing angles are fair. The bezels are thin. AOC calls it borderless design. The monitor is fully ergonomic. You can adjust the height, tilt it, and swivel it. You cannot pivot it at 90 degrees. You can wall-mount the monitor using the VESA mount.
The has a refresh rate of 144Hz. The input lag and response times are as low as 4ms. You will have a smooth gaming experience with minimal ghosting. It also has a 1ms response time using MSPRT. However, you cannot use this feature when you turn on the FreeSync feature. There won’t be any issues of flickering if you have a decent graphics card that can run games above 48 FPS. FreeSync is supported over both HDMI and DisplayPort.
You also get gaming-centric features like shadow boost which increases the visibility of objects in dark by tweaking the contrast. You can also select different picture presets for different types of games. You can also toggle custom timers, crosshairs, etc. You also have a blue light filter that will help you game long hours without having to strain your eyes.
Connectivity options include: 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.2 and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
Related Monitors
Asus VP28UQG - Best 4K Gaming Monitor under $300
Screen Resolution: 3840×2160
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Response Time(GtG): 1 ms
Panel Type: TN
Input Connectors: 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.2,
Adaptive sync: Supports FreeSync and GSync
What’s Good
- 4K resolution
- Affordable price
- Supports FreeSync
- Great for Consoles
What’s Bad
- Tilt-only design
- Average color reproduction
- Narrow Viewing angles
The Asus VP28UQG is a 28-inch 4K monitor using a TN panel. It has decent image quality for a TN panel. The 28-inch screen size coupled with the 4K resolution will give you a lot of screen real estate. It has a pixel density of 157 PPI so the images are sharp and full of detail. You can also use it for general office work as it offers you a lot of screen real estate.
This TN panel shines when it comes to fast-paced gaming. Having low input lag and response times will be more advantageous in competitive gaming. It has a 1ms response time that will eliminate any ghosting present. The motion of objects will be smooth. This monitor is also good for console gaming.
You also get the FreeSync and the G-SYNC support which will eliminate any screen-tearing. They work over HDMI and DisplayPort. Though the viewing angles are narrow, you’ll have no issues as long as you’re facing the screen directly. You can also stream content from Netflix, amazon prime at 4K resolution as this monitor supports HDCP 2.2.
The build quality and design are A grade. You can only tilt the monitor. You cannot adjust the height, swivel it, or even pivot it at 90 degrees. You can wall-mount it using the VESA mount.
The also has features like GamePlus which will add enhancements like customizable crosshairs, FPS counter, screen timer, etc. You also get pre-calibrated picture presets for various tasks like gaming, watching movies, reading, etc.
The connectivity options include: 2x HDMI 2.0 ports, 1x DisplayPort 1.2, and 1x headphones jack. It has no in-built speakers.
Sceptre C305B-200UN - Best Ultrawide Gaming Monitor under $300
Screen Resolution: 2560 x 1080
Refresh rate: 200Hz
Response Time(GtG): 5 ms
Panel Type: VA
Input Connectors: 2x HDMI 1.4, 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.2
Adaptive sync: Supports FreeSync and GSync
What’s Good
- 200Hz Refresh rate
- 30-inch screen
- AMD FreeSync
- Affordable
What’s Bad
- Tilt-only Stand
- Minimal ghosting at 200Hz
The Sceptre C305B-200UN is a curved 30-inch 2560×1080 (UWHD) gaming monitor. It has an aspect ratio of 21:9 and uses a VA panel. The image quality is not on par with the IPS displays but is fair.
The contrast levels are high and make the blacks deeper and whites brighter. It has a pixel density of 94 which is decent. The resolution will offer you a lot of screen real estate so you can work across multiple applications without worrying about space using the picture-in-picture feature. The curved screen will give you an immersive experience be it in gaming or watching movies.
The design is eye-catching and the build quality is decent. The stand is also sturdy. You will only be able to tilt the monitor. You cannot adjust its height, swivel it, or pivot it. You can wall-mount the monitor using the VESA mount. The bezels are also thin. The Viewing angles are fair for a VA panel. The screen is flicker-free.
The has a refresh rate of 200Hz. You will see some ghosting at that refresh rate. You can play games at 144Hz if that bothers you. It has a response time of 5ms. It also has AMD’s FreeSync technology that also works fine with Nvidia graphics cards. You will have a smooth and tear-free gaming experience. The back-light bleeding is minimal.
The connectivity ports include 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 1x HDMI 2.0, and 2x HDMI 1.4. You also get a 3.5mm headphone jack. This monitor also comes with built-in speakers.
What to look for in a Gaming Monitor?
Screen Size and Resolution: The screen size and resolution are inter-dependent. You need to have a good balance between the size and resolution to make sure the images have good color accuracy and detail in them.
If you’re buying a 1080p (Full HD) monitor, make sure the screen size is not more than 25-inches. 27-inches is the maximum you can go with that resolution without compromising the image quality.
If you’re buying a 1440p (QHD) monitor, 27-inches is the perfect screen size. You can always go a few inches upwards. When it comes to 4K resolution, you can have up to 32-inches of screen size without having any effect on the colors displayed by your monitor.
Panel Used: Most gaming monitors use either an IPS panel or a TN panel. There are also few monitors that use the VA panel.
The IPS panels are known for their superior image quality and better viewing angles than other panels in the market. But they have slower response times and refresh rates. They are also the most expensive panels out of all the three. There is also a phenomenon of IPS glow present in all IPS panels which can be reduced and is not a serious problem.
The TN panels have the best response times and higher refresh rates than the other panels. But they have restricted viewing angles and bad color quality when compared to the IPS panels. They are mostly affordable.
The VA panels are in between IPS and TN panels. They are not the best but also not the worst. They are mostly used in curved and ultrawide monitors and have good contrast levels. I would not recommend them for gaming unless you have no choice.
Refresh Rate: Refresh rate of a monitor is the number of times in a second, it refreshes itself with new images. Having higher refresh rates can make your gameplay smooth and will also give you an extra edge over competitors. The Refresh rate is one of the most important factors you need to consider while buying a gaming monitor.
Most average monitors have a refresh rate of 60Hz. The 4K monitors will also mostly come with a refresh rate of 60Hz. There are only a handful of 4K monitors having a refresh rate higher than 60Hz in the market.
144Hz is the sweet spot among many gamers. There are many monitors in the market having a refresh rate of 144Hz and are also affordable. They are also available at 1440p and 4K resolution as well. It offers the best of both worlds in terms of smooth gameplay and affordability. This is my recommendation for most gamers.
240Hz is also present in many professional 1080p gaming monitors. Buy one only if you’re into hardcore competitive gaming. You’ll reach a point of diminishing results in the case of performance if you’re not a serious professional gamer.
Input Lag and Response Times: Input lag is the time delay between the input you give to the computer and the response you see on the monitor screen. Response time is the time your monitor takes to shift from black color to white color to black color again. These two are important factors you need to consider while buying a monitor.
Lower input lag and response times will result in less ghosting and better picture quality. Most monitors have a response time of 10ms to 15ms. Gaming monitors using TN panels can have response times as low as 1ms. This is important for professional competitive gamers.
Most Gaming Monitors using IPS panels have response times between 10ms and 5ms. However, the Latest IPS panels are also now available at 1ms response times. If you’re a serious gamer, this should be enough for you.
Variable Refresh Rate: You might have heard terms like G-SYNC and FreeSync while looking for monitors. These are the names of the Variable Refresh Rate technologies used by Nvidia and AMD respectively.
The variable refresh rate technology helps you to sync the frame rate of the video games to the monitor’s refresh rates. This will eliminate screen tearing while playing video games and will also endure a smooth and stutter-free gaming experience.
Choose a G-SYNC monitor if you have an Nvidia graphics card and a FreeSync monitor if you have an AMD graphics card. There are also monitors which support both the technologies.
