Finding the best monitor under 200 dollars can be a daunting task. You have to know what kind of monitor you want in the first place, then you have to decide what specs you need, and then you have to scroll through possible dozens of monitors to find one that is at least close to what you want while still being in your budget. None of those things can be done until you decide what it is you want your monitor to be used for. If the answer is, “everything” you may want to narrow the scope a little bit because finding a monitor that is great at everything for under 200 dollars is extremely unlikely. If gaming is your primary hobby or job, then you’ll want to check out these cheap monitors for gamers or best monitor for eye strain reviews.

Favorite Monitor Under 200 USD Comparison

1. HP 23.8-inch FHD IPS Monitor with Tilt/height Adjustment

Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

• Extremely Thin Frame
• Vast Variety of Features for the Price
• Good for Most Situations

2. Acer SB220Q bi 21.5 inches Full HD

Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

• Very Clear Display
• Good Quality for the Price
• FreeSync Compatibility for Gaming

3. ViewSonic VX3276-MHD 32 Inch 1080p Frameless Widescreen

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

• Has Eye Protection Implemented
• Extremely Large Screen
• Very Thin Frame

What Do You Get In Terms of Features and Performance Under 200 USD

Prioritization is the key to keeping prices low when you are searching for all computer equipment, not just monitors. Expecting to find a monitor with perfect specs and all the quality of life features out there for under 200 dollars is just unrealistic. That said, you can find a monitor that performs well if you prioritize that over all other things and know exactly what kind of activities you need your monitor to support.

The best monitor under 200 dollars is going to be the one that gives you the best specs for the least amount of cash, it is up to you to decide which specs are more important to you. When you are looking for equipment with such a low budget you also have to expect to find something with lower quality than you would want. You are unlikely to find the best 144hz monitor under 200 USD and should expect a refresh rate closer to 75 or 60 Hz. You may get faster refresh rate in the best 24 inch monitor for gaming under 300 USD if you add another $100 to your budget.

Best Monitor Under 200 USD Reviews

1. HP 23.8-inch FHD IPS Monitor with Tilt/height Adjustment

Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

The VH240a from HP is a very versatile choice of display. It can perform most tasks to a reasonable standard without fault but cannot compete with a more narrowly focused monitor in their areas of specialization. It is a 23.8-inch LED monitor and uses an IPS panel for its display.

It has a maximum resolution of 1080p. It is one of the better cheap 24 inch monitors. The VH240a was not designed for gaming which becomes clear when you look at the specs. A 5 millisecond response time is on the low end for gaming and the same is true for a 60 Hz refresh rate. That said, it should be able to perform fairly well for console gaming and is certainly capable of gaming, but don’t expect it to be higher quality than something specifically made for that purpose.

HP VH240a	Header
Screen Size	23.8-inch
Display Panel	LED, In-Plane Switching (IPS)
Max. Resolution	1920 x 1080 (1080p)
Refresh Rate	60 Hertz
Response Time	5 ms
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Speakers	Yes
G-Sync / FreeSync	No
Features	VESA Compatible, Energy Efficient, Thin frame, Adjustable Height, Tilt, HDCP
Ports / Connectivity	HDMI, VGA

This is a good choice if you like to use multiple monitors in your setup. It has compatibility with VESA mounting which means it should be easy to add it to your current setup or to build a new configuration around it if you prefer to use this as your primary display. This is further supported by its thin frame which is ideal when you are extending your desktop across multiple screens.

HDMI and VGA are the ports available with this display and it does support HDCP. These are common ports that you will find on most devices so there shouldn’t be any problems connecting this monitor to your device of choice.The VH240a does come with speakers, but they are not the best quality. I recommend picking up a cheap headset or set of speakers to go with this monitor because the speakers it comes with are not that usable. Also read our reviews of the best monitor with speakers.

The stand that the VH240a comes with a very ergonomic stand that allows for a lot of variety in how you view it. It is fully capable of pivoting between horizontal and vertical views which can be especially helpful if you dabble in programming or spend a lot of your time reading vast quantities of text.

The best computer monitors under 200 USD should follow the VH240a’s example. It is extremely versatile and should serve well in any circumstance. If you need a monitor for a cheap gaming pc under 200 setup the versatility of this monitor makes it an excellent choice.

Pros

• Extremely Thin Frame
• Vast Variety of Features for the Price
• Good for Most Situations

Cons

• Not the best speakers

Conclusion:

2. Acer SB220Q bi 21.5 inches Full HD

Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

Acer’s SB220Q bi is an LED-lit, IPS panel monitor with a 21.5-inch screen. The maximum resolution it can support is 1080p.

If you need a compact monitor for work and like to dabble a bit in gaming then this is a good choice as far as cheap good monitors go. The primary reason this monitor can serve for gaming is that it supports FreeSync from AMD which is especially useful for a gamer.

 It also has a decent response time of 4 milliseconds and a 75 Hz refresh rate.

Acer SB220Q bi	Header
Screen Size	21.5-inch
Display Panel	LED, In-Plane Switching (IPS)
Max. Resolution	1920 x 1080 (1080p)
Refresh Rate	75 Hertz
Response Time	4 ms
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Speakers	No
G-Sync / FreeSync	FreeSync
Features	Thin frame, Tilt, Kensington Lock, ENERGY STAR Compliant, Wide View Angle
Ports / Connectivity	HDMI, VGA

The frame of the SB220Q bi is so thin as to be almost invisible which is ideal if you are looking for a monitor to use multiples of for your setup. Unfortunately, it cannot be mounted on a VESA stand which makes it a little harder to implement, but a bit of creativity will solve that problem. It supports both HDMI and VGA, so you shouldn’t have any problems connecting this monitor to your PC or a console.

If you are looking to build a 200$ gaming pc then you might want to consider this monitor for your display option as it is both affordable and can support gaming. As far as the best monitors under 200 USD goes, this is a strong choice.

Pros

• Very Clear Display
• Good Quality for the Price
• FreeSync Compatibility for Gaming

Cons

• Doesn’t support VESA mounting

Conclusion:

3. ViewSonic VX3276-MHD 32 Inch 1080p Frameless Widescreen

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

If you want a very large screen for your PC without paying a premium then you might want to consider the VX3276-MHD from ViewSonic. It is an LCD monitor with an IPS panel and a massive screen size of 32 inches. This should serve fairly well for a photo or video editing setup.

Unfortunately, if you were hoping to game with this monitor you will be disappointed. The response time is 8 milliseconds which is very poor for gaming. That combined with the 60 Hz refresh rate and lack of syncing options means you shouldn’t consider this monitor for that purpose.

ViewSonic VX3276-MHD	Header
Screen Size	32-inch
Display Panel	LCD, In-Plane Switching (IPS)
Max. Resolution	1920 x 1080 (1080p)
Refresh Rate	60 Hertz
Response Time	8 ms
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Speakers	Yes
G-Sync / FreeSync	No
Features	ViewSplit, Blue Light Filter, Flicker-Free, Wide View Angle, Thin Frame
Ports / Connectivity	DisplayPort, HDMI, VGA

If you need a replacement for your primary monitor in your professional setup then the thin frame on this monitor will be very appreciated.ViewSonic took your eye care into consideration with this monitor and implemented a blue light filter as well as flicker-free support so that you can work longer and harder without experiencing eye fatigue or strain.

You can use ViewSonic’s ViewSplit software with this monitor if your operating system doesn’t support a similar feature or you need something with a little more oomph. I especially appreciated this feature because my usual monitor is not capable of viewing more than two documents at once at a reasonable size. With this one, that problem was a thing of the past and was especially convenient for editing and writing.

This monitor is great when working as intended, but occasionally you might experience problems with backlight bleeding when you are looking at very dark images or videos. You might also notice a bit of glare on the screen in environments with a lot of light due to the glossy finish it is made with, so you will have to take special care with lighting while using this monitor.

Pros

• Has Eye Protection Implemented
• Extremely Large Screen
• Very Thin Frame

Cons

• Can be a bit unreliable

Conclusion:

4. Philips 328E9QJAB 32” Curved Frameless Monitor

Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5

The 328E9QJAB from Philips Computer Monitors is a great choice if you are looking for a curved monitor for a cheap price. It is an LED monitor with a VA panel and a huge 32-inch screen size. The highest resolution available with this monitor is 1080p.

Philips 328E9QJAB	Header
Screen Size	31.5-inch
Display Panel	LED, Vertical Alignment (VA)
Max. Resolution	1920 x 1080 (1080p)
Refresh Rate	60 Hertz
Response Time	5 ms
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Speakers	Yes
G-Sync / FreeSync	FreeSync
Features	Compatible, Blue Light Filter, Flicker-Free, Thin Frame, Curved, Audio In/Out
Ports / Connectivity	DisplayPort, VGA, HDMI

Having a curved monitor as opposed to a normal flat screen is supposed to aid with immersion and viewing angles. I didn’t notice any drastic differences from a normal monitor, but the curve of the monitor didn’t have any negative impact on the viewing experience either so I don’t foresee any problems for most users regarding the curve of the monitor.

The 328E9QJAB should be able to support gaming on PC and on console just fine, but it won’t be anything spectacular due to the low 60 Hz refresh rate and the 5 millisecond response time. If you have a fairly powerful machine you might notice framerate going higher than the refresh rate of your monitor but that can be solved with FreeSync, which this monitor supports.

Pros

• Supports Syncing Technology
• Can Be Used for Gaming
• Massive Screen Size

Cons

• Narrow Viewing Angle

Conclusion:

5. Sceptre E248W-19203R 24” Ultra Thin 75Hz 1080p LED Monitor

Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5

Sceptre’s E248W-19203R is a 24-inch LED monitor with a TN panel. You can get resolutions as high as 1080p with this monitor. If you are looking for a cheap hdmi monitor, it doesn’t get much cheaper than this.

You shouldn’t have any problems gaming with this monitor, no matter what device you are using. A refresh rate of 75 Hz and a response time of 5 milliseconds is alright for gaming. Most gamers would prefer high specs, but these will get the job done.

Sceptre E248W-19203R	Header
Screen Size	24-inch
Display Panel	LED, Twisted Nematic (TN)
Max. Resolution	1920 x 1080 (1080p)
Refresh Rate	75 Hertz
Response Time	5 ms
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Speakers	Yes
G-Sync / FreeSync	No
Features	Security Lock, Adaptive Sync, VESA Compatible, Thin Frame, Audio In/Out
Ports / Connectivity	HDMI, VGA

This monitor also comes with a large variety of quality of life features that are truly phenomenal considering the cost to purchase it. If you are building a 200 dollar gaming pc you might consider this monitor purely based on its price.

Pros

• Extremely Inexpensive
• Has VESA Compatibility
• Comes with a Security Lock

Cons

• Average Specs

Conclusion:

6. Samsung C27F398 27 Inch Curved LED Monitor

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

This is another curved monitor, this time from Samsung called the C27F398. It is a strong contender for the best 27 inch monitor under 200 dollars especially if you have an interest in a curved monitor for a cheap price. It is an LED monitor with a VA panel.

Samsung C27F398	Header
Screen Size	27-inch
Display Panel	LED, Vertical Alignment (VA)
Max. Resolution	1920 x 1080 (1080p)
Refresh Rate	60 Hertz
Response Time	4 ms
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Speakers	Yes
G-Sync / FreeSync	FreeSync
Features	Curved, Tilt, VESA Compatible, Audio Out, Thin Frame, Eye Saver Mode
Ports / Connectivity	DisplayPort, HDMI

It is compatible with FreeSync software and has the specs for gaming with a 60 Hz refresh rate and a 4 millisecond response time. Nothing spectacular, specs-wise, but you can get by with this and it does have the bonus novelty of being a curved monitor.

Pros

• Lots of Quality of Life Features
• FreeSync Compatibility
• Has a Thin Frame

Cons

• Higher Price than Average

Conclusion:

7. Dell SE2419Hx 23.8” IPS Full HD

Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

Dell’s SE2419Hx is an LED monitor with an IPS panel and a screen size of 23.8 inches. It doesn’t have the specs to be the best gaming monitor under 200 dollars, but it should be capable of gaming no matter your situation to a reasonable standard.

Dell SE2419Hx	Header
Screen Size	23.8-inch
Display Panel	LED, In-Plane Switching (IPS)
Max. Resolution	1920 x 1080 (1080p)
Refresh Rate	60 Hertz
Response Time	5 ms
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Speakers	No
G-Sync / FreeSync	No
Features	Wide View Angle, Compact Base, Thin Frame, Tilt, Flicker-Free, ComfortView
Ports / Connectivity	HDMI

This is also a good choice for a professional environment due to Dell’s ComfortView technology which is meant to help protect your eyes and prevent strain or fatigue from stopping your work early.

Pros

• Good Eye Protection
• Very Space Efficient
• Great Image Quality

Cons

• Too expensive for its performance level

Conclusion:

Different Types of Monitors – IPS/VA/TN

What kind of things you typically do on your computer will inform your choice of which kind of monitor to get. There are 3 common types of monitors available: TN, VA, and IPS.

A Twisted Nematic (TN) monitor will be what you see most often when searching through displays to find one for yourself, especially if you are looking for a gaming monitor because they have the fastest response time and are the oldest form of flat-screen monitor.

If you are looking at In-Plane Switching (IPS) displays you will be pleased with their color accuracy. Those people that spend a lot of their time working with pictures or videos will want an IPS panel display but gamers beware the very low response time.

Vertical Alignment (VA) was created to be the best of both worlds. It largely failed in that regard, it is not as good as TN in response time, nor is it as good as IPS at color accuracy, but it is better at color accuracy than TN and has a faster response time than IPS. So, essentially, with a VA monitor, you are sacrificing top performance to have no weaknesses.

How’s the Image Quality?

Image quality is an important aspect to consider when choosing a monitor. In some cases, you will prioritize image quality over all other concerns. You essentially use a monitor as your eyes when interacting with the internet which means it is important that the monitor displays images as clearly as possible.

If you are a gamer, you will prioritize image quality pretty highly, but it won’t be your main concern. If you work in photo or video editing then image quality is your primary concern and should be prioritized over all other specs.

Screen Resolution

The resolution of your screen is not as important as everyone makes it out to be. The main reason that people like higher resolutions is for their effect on image clarity, but past a certain point the benefits are so small that they aren’t worth it.

You should be looking for a resolution of 1080p which is the most common resolution available today. Resolutions are measured in pixels usually displayed as width times height, so 1440p would be displayed as 2160 x 1440, just like back in middle-school geometry class.

Something else that should be noted about resolutions is “aspect ratio” which is kind of like a category for resolutions. Essentially, if we take it back to middle-school geometry for a moment, you can turn a resolution into a fraction and then simplify it to get a ratio.

Resolutions that simplify to the same fraction are considered to have the same “aspect ratio” for instance, 1920 x 1080 simplifies to 16:9 and so does 2160 x 1440, so they would be considered to have the same aspect ratio and be part of the same category but 1920 x 1200 is a 16:10 aspect ratio resolution.

Are Refresh Rates Satisfactory?

The rate of refresh is an extremely high priority for gamers, but less important for other pursuits. How quickly your monitor can refresh images on the screen will determine how smoothly moving pictures will look. If you are playing a game then this will determine how smooth the animations look.

Refresh rate is often compared to framerate because the two are essentially the exact same thing with a different name for different things. It is important to keep your monitor’s refresh rate in mind when gaming because you are offered many ways to manipulate the framerate of a game and you want that framerate to be as close as possible to being the same as your monitor’s refresh rate.