Best Budget Monitors: I Found 3 Impressive Screens Under $200 (2026)

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Affordable Monitors That Don’t Suck: The Best Budget Displays of 2024

Let’s face it—testing the latest cutting-edge OLED gaming monitors or jaw-dropping 6K displays is infinitely more exciting than digging through the budget monitor bin. But I’m keeping it real here. Most people aren’t looking to drop a grand on a display. They want something that won’t make their eyes bleed, won’t break the bank, and actually gets the job done.

The brutal truth? Budget monitors are the red-headed stepchildren of the tech world. Manufacturers would rather send me their $1,500 flagship than their $150 workhorses. So I had to go full detective mode to find affordable monitors that are actually good—not just cheap junk with a pretty sticker.

The Sweet Spot: $100-$200 Monitors

When you’re hunting in the “budget” territory, you’re looking at anything under $200. In today’s market, anything under $100 is going to be locked at 1920 x 1080 resolution. These typically come in 23.8-inch or 27-inch sizes, while even the cheapest 32-inch monitors will cost you north of $100. (For the full breakdown on monitor specs and what they actually mean, check out our comprehensive monitor buying guide.)

I’m going to touch on that sub-$100 range in a bit, but honestly, most people should aim a little higher. The $100-$200 range is where you find serious value—you can trade up resolution for USB-C hubs, higher refresh rates, or better adjustability. Here are some standout options in that $100-$200 sweet spot that genuinely impressed me.

Let me start with the Dell 27 Plus (S2725HSM). I had a hunch I’d like this one, since I’m already a huge fan of the 4K version, which still sits at the top of my best monitors list. This more affordable variant keeps everything I loved about the premium model: the highly adjustable stand, the sleek white aesthetic, and surprisingly solid image quality for the price.

At $175 (and sometimes dipping as low as $140 on sale), it delivers solid color performance and hits 300 nits of brightness. But the real star here is the stand. You get full height adjustment, swivel capability, and a built-in VESA mount, making it incredibly practical for any workstation setup. The biggest compromise? Ports. With only two HDMI ports, you’ll need to plug peripherals directly into your laptop or use a USB hub. Still, for a full-featured 1080p monitor at this price point, the Dell 27 Plus is hard to beat.

The closest competitor to the Dell 27 Plus, but with a built-in USB hub, is the Samsung Essential Monitor S4. I haven’t had hands-on time with it yet, but it also offers 1080p resolution with height adjustability at the same price point. However, it only claims 250 nits of brightness compared to the Dell’s 300 nits.

But here’s where it gets interesting—if you’re shopping between $150 and $200, you’re not stuck with just 1080p anymore. I tested the MSI Pro 27 (MP273QW E14), which packs a 2560 x 1440 resolution and sells for $190. This MSI monitor doesn’t just give you more pixels per inch—it delivers genuinely fantastic image quality. We’re talking quality so good it could actually work for content creators and photographers. For a monitor in this price range, that’s borderline shocking. It’s also brighter than anything else I’ve tested in this category, pushing all the way up to 427 nits.

The trade-offs? Adjustability and ports. There are no built-in USB ports for connecting peripherals, no height adjustment, and no swivel. The stand is fixed in position, so if it doesn’t perfectly match your desk, chair, and body ergonomics, you’ll need a separate monitor stand. And while it technically supports VESA mounting for use with a monitor arm, it doesn’t include the mount itself.

Budget Gaming Monitors That Actually Perform

During my deep dive into affordable displays, I stumbled across the Lenovo Legion R27fc-30, and this thing genuinely surprised me. This is my pick for the best budget gaming monitor, and it completely shattered my expectations for what a cheap gaming display could deliver.

I’m used to the janky, washed-out screens you typically find on budget gaming laptops, but this monitor is on another level. Brightness exceeds 300 nits, and the color performance matches what you’d expect from the MSI Pro 27—impressive for a gaming-focused display in this price bracket.

Budget Monitor Shopping Tips

Before you pull the trigger on any of these displays, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Resolution Reality Check: Don’t expect 1440p or 4K at rock-bottom prices. The sweet spot for budget monitors is still 1080p, with some 1440p options creeping into the $150-$200 range.

Brightness Matters: Look for monitors hitting at least 250-300 nits. Anything less and you’ll struggle in well-lit rooms.

Adjustability is Key: If you can stretch your budget, prioritize monitors with height adjustment and swivel. Your neck will thank you after long workdays.

Port Selection: Count your connections before buying. Two HDMI ports might seem sufficient until you realize you need to connect a laptop, desktop, and maybe a console.

The Sub-$100 Territory

I promised I’d get to the ultra-budget range, and here we are. Monitors under $100 exist, but they’re increasingly rare and come with significant compromises. You’re looking at basic 1080p panels, often with TN panels instead of IPS (meaning worse viewing angles and color reproduction), minimal adjustability, and basic stands.

That said, if you’re setting up a secondary display, need something for a kid’s homework station, or are on an extremely tight budget, there are still options worth considering. Brands like Sceptre, HP, and Acer occasionally offer solid sub-$100 monitors, particularly during sales events.

Final Thoughts

The budget monitor market has actually improved dramatically in recent years. Manufacturers have realized that not everyone wants to spend $500+ on a display, and they’re putting genuine effort into making affordable options that don’t feel like punishment to use.

Whether you’re a student on a shoestring budget, a professional setting up a home office, or a gamer looking for a second screen, there’s never been a better time to buy a budget monitor. The days of having to choose between “cheap” and “usable” are fading fast.

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