Getting an affordable monitor for gaming as well as work can be a tricky business. Thankfully the new crop of IPS monitors is offering the best of both worlds. The IPS monitors are versatile, but they couldn’t compete on refresh rates with the TN and VA panels. That’s changing quickly. So if you want an affordable monitor under $400 for work and play games or enjoy movies, we’ve cherry-picked a few options.
If you have been researching for quite some now, you must know that IPS displays do not come cheap, and a quality screen usually costs north of $300. Thankfully, there are a few exceptions and in this list, we have handpicked the best ones out there.
Keep reading to discover some great IPS gaming monitors below $400. Before that,
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1. LG 27GL650F-B UltraGear Monitor
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels | Width: 27-inch | Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Ports: 2 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 1 x 3.5mm Audio Out
So, what’s special about the LG 27GL650F-B gaming monitor? For one, this is a G-Sync compatible gaming monitor, along with being a FreeSync monitor. This feature gives you the flexibility of switching between AMD GPU and NVIDIA GPU in the future. In short, it’s future proof. Besides that, it bundles a quality IPS display that delivers great colors with excellent viewing angles. For the record, it displays 98% of the sRGB gamut.
The only issue which you might see is the 1080p display and that should be fine since 4K displays aren’t so affordable yet. Given the budget range, this is one the best you can get for the money. At the same time, this display also bundles HDR10, although the HDR capabilities are slightly limited.
On the upside, the pixel response time and the input lag is great. However, you will notice slight blurring, especially if you compare it to TN counterparts at the same price point.
When it comes to connections, sadly, there aren’t many options. There are no USB ports to connect your wired peripherals. When it comes to the video connections, it bundles a duo of HDMI ports and a single DisplayPort connector.
2. ASUS VG279Q Gaming Monitor
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels | Width: 27-inch | Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Ports: 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x DVI, 1 x 3.5mm Audio Out
If you are looking for a monitor with a response rate on par with TN panels, you can start with the ASUS VG279Q gaming monitor. It has a low response time (3ms) and a fast refresh rate — the perfect recipe for a gaming monitor. And if that’s not enough, it also supports FreeSync, which allows dynamic refresh rates. For now, the refresh rate switches between 40Hz and 144Hz depending on the game. At the same time, it also brings smooth and stutter-free gameplay.
The feature that sets it apart from the rest is GameFast technology that claims to deliver low input lag. This comes into the picture when you are playing fast-paced games.
Thankfully, this panel would be the best for enjoying 1080p resolution games. At the same time, the text appears crisp and clear. So yeah, at times, you can also use it to check on your office work as well.
It looks impressive for its price, thanks to its almost bezel-less frame. The stand is sharp and chic. You’ll be impressed with its ergonomics. For one, you can even rotate the monitor clockwise to achieve a portrait view.
As noted earlier, it supports FreeSync. However, there’s a slight catch. FreesSync here works only over DisplayPort. If you connect over the HDMI 1.4a port, the maximum refresh rate will only be 120Hz. Overall, it’s a decent monitor to have especially if you are interested in playing competitive games.
3. AOC 27G2 Frameless Gaming IPS Monitor
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels | Width: 27-inch | Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Ports: 2 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 1 x VGA, 4 x USB 3.0
The IPS panel on this AOC gaming monitor packs a punch while delivering excellent colors and high contrast levels. So if you love playing games with beautiful graphics like Cyberpunk 2077, this monitor will do its best to justify those games. Besides that, it boasts of a high refresh rate of 144Hz and includes support for FreeSync.
But as is with the monitor above, the budget pricing means you will have to give up on some features, and in this case, it’s the resolution. The best part is that the AOC 27G2 looks premium for its price. The bezels are narrower, and the stand sports a sharp look, all thanks to the red highlights.
The stand offers some flexibility. For one, you can adjust the height or swivel it around its base. Plus, the VESA (100×100) compatibility means that you can easily attach it to monitor arms.
The AOC 27G2 has plenty of connections. From the new-age DisplayPort connectors to the legacy VGA connectors, it has them all. But like the monitors above, primarily for the price, the ports are a generation old. It only carries a duo of HDMI 1.4 ports. The same can be said of the DisplayPort connector as well. It bundles DisplayPort 1.2 connectors.
However, the biggest crux is that this budget gaming monitor works with both AMD GPUs as well as with Nvidia GPUs. This one supports G-Sync and is compatible with NVIDIA GTX 10 Series and RTX 20 Series graphics cards. So yeah, if you have a plan to switch from AMD to NVIDIA GPU or vice versa, then this is the one for you.
4. ViewSonic XG2705 Gaming Monitor
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels | Width: 27-inch | Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Ports: 2 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x Display Port, 1 x 3.5mm Audio Out
Last but not least, we have the ViewSonic XG2705 gaming monitor. This one is almost in the same price bracket as the one above and packs almost the same features. For one, it has support for AMD FreeSync, has a high refresh rate of 144Hz, and also delivers a good picture quality. This one is also a 1080p display and displays nearly 100% of the sRGB color spectrum, though the picture quality is not nearly as enjoyable as the AOC 27G2.
When it comes to performance, it can be safely said that this one delivers a decent one. It has a low input lag and a high response time — features you’d want to see in a gaming monitor, especially if you play regularly. During their tests, the folks at Tech Team GB found this monitor to have an input lag of around 8ms at the center and a response time of 3ms. Impressive for a monitor that costs just around $200, right?
Interestingly, you will find similar connection ports as well. The ViewSonic XG2705 comes with dual HDMI 1.4 ports, a single DisplayPort, and an audio out port, though the speaker output is not up to the mark. If you do not have the habit of wearing headsets (yes, we exist), then the best bet would be to invest in quality computer speakers.
And yeah, similar to the one above, there’s no USB hub to connect your wired gaming peripherals.
Play the Game
When it comes to budget IPS monitors, you will have to sacrifice the features slightly, for IPS monitors are usually expensive. However, if the type of panel doesn’t matter much to you and you want a higher refresh rate, you can have a peek at the BenQ ZOWIE XL2540 gaming monitor.
Last updated on 02 February, 2022
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
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