Picking the right monitor is going to have a huge impact on your gaming, and if you pick a bad one you won’t enjoy things as much as you should. That’s why I’ve put together this list of the top 5 monitors to use for gaming for under $150.
Some of the things that I look for when picking out a monitor for gaming is a low gray to gray response time, good color clarity and balance, solid lighting, the native resolution and the refresh rate. The native contrast ratio also has a bit of an effect also, but not really enough to consider here in 2018.
HERE ARE SOME BASE THINGS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER:
- Do you want a glossy or a matte screen?
- What kind of panel do you prefer, or does it matter?
- What size of screen do want / need?
- What resolution do you want / need?
WHAT SPENDING $150 ON A MONITOR WILL GET YOU:
- 1920×1080 resolution
- 60Hz refresh rate
- 21.5 – 24 inch screen
- Your choice of panel (IPS, VA, TN, etc)
- Some extra features
Now that you’ve put some thought into these points, you should have a good idea of what you’re looking for. Time to check out the list!
Here are 5 Best
1. ViewSonic VX2457-MHD Gaming Monitor Review
Looking for a monitor that comes with as much whistles and bells as possible and still sells below $150, this should do.
One very important and well thought of thing with this 24inch 1080p monitor is that it is designed with AMD FreeSync technology which improves gaming experience significantly. The tech is one thing you will normally not expect on monitors of this price range.
Also, the monitor gives clean display for both your gaming and other multimedia purposes.
No, we didn’t expect that the monitor would come with anything other than the TN panel. Although that isn’t the best out there for gaming since we get better viewing angles with IPS and VA, it is what makes this piece so affordable.
However, even with the TN panel, the response rate of the monitor is exceedingly good enough to take on heavy games with good speed. Once you can throw at it any game of up to 75Hz refresh rate, you can bet a coin that it will go smooth.
I know the drum I have been beating for this monitor is that of great features. Apart from the FreeSync, another feature it comes with among others is a set of speakers. Although the speakers may not be the best in audio reproduction since external and dedicated gaming speakers are always better for gaming, it still does good.
In all, the performance and design are great.
Pros
Comes with generous features
Less tearing thanks to its FreeSync technology
It has good coloring
It is very valuable
Cons
It doesn’t have the best viewing angles
Verdict
This may just be the deal for someone who wants a gaming monitor that doesn’t ask for too much even as it performs excellently well and gives generous features.
2. BenQ GL2460HM Gaming Monitor
The BenQ GL2460HM is a monitor that will serve you for both gaming and other daily uses. It supports Full HD 1080p with a 16:9 aspect ratio. This, of course, means more than what any average Joe monitor will be able to deliver.
For the build of the monitor, I will prefer to say it is more on the quality side than the fashionable side. Also, it has a frame of 6.0-inch glossy black bezels. There is also a level of convenience to the design as it can tilt 20 degrees backwards and 5 degrees forward.
A TN Panel piece, the monitor has a very good display that goes all the way. Still, as is with other TN panels, it doesn’t have the best of viewing angles.
The monitor is designed with an overwhelming smoothness that should breeze you through almost any game. That is unless you are a hard core gamer looking for the earth shaker. In which case, getting a more expensive monitor will be your redemption.
Although it comes with speakers, the speakers are not the best there can be.
Pros
It is versatile
Top notch video and picture quality
Very cheap
The response is very fast
Cons
It doesn’t come with every feature under the sun
Not the best in terms of viewing angles
Verdict
Overall, this may just be the best gaming monitor under 150 dollars because it is almost complete in every way. Interestingly, you can still somehow find this even when you are looking at the best monitors under $250 and you make your list a little longer.
3. HP Pavilion 22cwa Gaming Monitor Review
A serious gamer will not give an HP computer a second look when it comes to a gaming component. The HP Pavilion 22cwa still manages to be on our list as one of the leading gaming monitors under 150 dollars.
I will prefer not to call it exactly a gaming monitor because it isn’t. Nevertheless, it serves for gaming better than some in the same price range that have the tag of gaming all around them.
This monitor has a better look than many on the list even though the look is more professional than gaming. However, that hardly counts when it comes to monitors.
Interesting enough, this monitor comes with an IPS Panel. Trust me, not many monitors at this price range will let you walk away with a panel like this.
To the performance, this doesn’t fail. The display is excellent and the response is quite good.
It also comes with some extra features such as the HP enhancements technology which helps with the display, and the anti-glare feature which also gives clearer image by reducing glare on the monitor’s screen.
Pros
- The image and video quality is very good
- Good viewing angle
- It is a well-built monitor
- Very affordable
Cons
- At only 21.5 inches, the screen size may be small for some
- The response time could be better
Verdict
Sometimes you may not be a very serious gamer and what you need is just a good affordable monitor that will allow you play games in a very good way and be able to handle your other jobs as well. That is just what you’ll get with this.
4. Asus VS239H-P Gaming Monitor Review
A 23-inch matte screen monitor, the Asus VS239H-P is a gaming piece that is very decent in design and massive in performance. That is most especially when you decide to place its performance right beside its price.
What makes the monitor one of the first calls for many is that it has an image and video quality that can rival any other in the same range. Complimenting this is the fact that it has a very good response rate at only 2ms.
The monitor makes use of the In-Plane-Switching technology. What the IPS technology does is to provide a better viewing angle and even go as far as controlling bleeding. It will be kind to point out that this panel hardly comes on less expensive monitors.
Finally, the monitor goes as high as 27 inches if you prefer that, even though that is above the $150 range.
Pros
- Good image and video quality
- It has low response rate
- Excellent viewing angle
- There is inbuilt power adapter
- Very cheap for an IPS monitor
Cons
- Not the best when it comes to ergonomic adjustments
Verdict
When your eyes are set more on the image quality of game rather than all the features a monitor can come with, then one will not be wrong to say this is the pad in your hands. More than that, however, is the fact that it comes with a general performance that is better than the average.
5. Dell S2216M Gaming Monitor
Like HP, Dell is a very popular one. The difference though is that Dell has established itself when it comes to gaming computers.
The Dell S2216M has a simple and minimalistic design which is excellent in its ways. Also, it is easily adjustable and easy to move around.
With a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, the monitor hits it right with coloring and its overall image and video quality is one to appreciate.
The refresh rate at 60Hz gives you a swift and smooth gaming experience. That noted, where it seems to have it a little dragging is when you consider that the refresh response is at 6ms. Now, this is not to the gutters, but we do have some that are at 2ms! What this means is that a hardcore gamer may not have the best experience one may be looking for.
This monitor with a flat display panel has an ultra-wide screen that will take care of your gaming needs if you prefer the screen a little wider.
You can decide to go with the 22 inches or the 23 inches, as both are less than $150.
Pros
- Excellent design
- Great image and video quality
- Good coloring
- Environmentally friendly since it makes use of arsenic-free glass and mercury-free LED panel
- It is a plug and play monitor
Cons
- Not the best regarding response time
- Doesn’t come with HDMI connectivity
Verdict
This is much more than just a gaming monitor. It is an “everything monitor.” It will serve you well whether you need it for movie watching, word processing, or of course, gaming. As such, it is one of the best for a general use.