Not everyone wants to spend a ton of money on a good monitor. Perhaps you’re on a tight budget, or maybe you don’t need all the bells and whistles of a more expensive monitor. Some students need a reliable and affordable monitor that they can use for both school and leisure. Thankfully, these days you can grab hold of an amazing monitor for under $100.

In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best budget monitors under $100. These monitors offer impressive features, excellent performance, and great value for money. Whether you’re a student, professional, or casual user, these monitors are sure to meet your needs without burning a hole in your pocket.
But first, you might want to check out the following:
- Got a bit more money? Check out these budget gaming monitors for under $200.
- Make use of the wider FOV with these ultrawide gaming monitors.
- Take a look at these wireless mice for work to enhance your productivity.
1. Best Monitor for Students: PHILIPS 221V8LN
- Screen Size: 21.5 inches | Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Refresh Rate: 75Hz | Panel Type: VA
- Ports: 1x HDMI, 1x VGA
Despite the small size, Philips has fitted the 221V8LN with a Full HD resolution panel. This takes the pixel density to a whopping 102 pixels per inch, resulting in sharp and detailed visuals. The monitor also comes with an anti-glare coating. This coupled with a peak brightness of 250 nits makes it good for use even in a well-lit room.
As you’d expect, the monitor makes use of a VA panel, which is the standard at this price point. However, it does come with support for a fast 75Hz refresh rate and a response time of 4ms. So if you’re a student in search of a monitor for work and a little bit of gaming on the side, then this one’s for you.
Speaking of which, if you want to give gaming a bit more priority, you can also check out the LG 22MP410-B. It has pretty much the same features, except that it comes with support for AMD FreeSync to ensure no screen tearing.
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2. Best Budget Gaming Monitor: Acer SB222Q Hbi
- Screen Size: 21.5 inches | Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Refresh Rate: 100Hz | Panel Type: VA
- Ports: 1x HDMI, 1x VGA
When hooked via an HDMI connection, the Acer SB222Q Hbi supports a high refresh rate of 100Hz. There’s also a low response time of just 1ms (VRB). Of course, if you’re buying a monitor like this for gaming, you probably won’t have a GPU that can maintain 100 fps at all times. Thankfully, the monitor also comes with AMD FreeSync technology to ensure you don’t face any screen tearing.
Apart from that, the monitor uses a VA panel capable of hitting 250 nits of peak brightness. The monitor as a whole is quite slim and doesn’t take up a lot of desk space. That being said, the stand lacks height adjustability, and the monitor can only tilt from -5° to 15°. However, you can hook it up to a VESA 75 x 75mm stand if you want.
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3. Best Monitor for Work: ASUS VP229HE
- Screen Size: 21.5 inches | Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Refresh Rate: 75Hz | Panel Type: IPS
- Ports: 1x HDMI, 1x VGA
Starting with the design, the ASUS VP229HE sports a sleek and minimalist appearance that fits well into any workspace or setup. The sturdy stand offers stability, but it lacks ergonomic adjustments like height and swivel, which may limit customization for user comfort. As for the panel, the monitor comes with a Full HD IPS panel at a smooth 75Hz refresh rate.
Thanks to the IPS panel, the ASUS VP229HE offers excellent color accuracy and wide viewing angles. This means users can enjoy vibrant colors and consistent image quality, even when viewing the screen from different positions. Add to that, you also get ASUS Eye Care technology, which incorporates Flicker-Free and Blue Light Filter technologies to reduce eye strain and fatigue during prolonged use.
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4. Best Monitor For Photo Editing: Acer R240HY bidx
- Screen Size: 23.8 inches | Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz | Panel Type: IPS
- Ports: 1x HDMI, 1x DVI-D Dual Link, 1x VGA
Launched back in 2016, the Acer R240HY’s price has dropped, making it much more affordable. The monitor comes with a 23.8-inch IPS panel which covers 72% NTSC color space. In fact, DisplayNinja claims that the Acer R240HY is a great 1080p monitor for entry-level photographers or designers.
Apart from the color accuracy, the panel comes with a smooth refresh rate of 75Hz coupled with a low response time of just 4ms. Add to that, the monitor comes with Acer Flickerless technology which reduces eye strain during extended use.
In addition to being easy on your eyes, the monitor also goes easy on the electricity bill, consuming just 25W at peak, and 0.4W when in sleep. Overall, making this a very good purchase, and definitely worth a recommendation from us.
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5. Best Monitor for Content Creators: Sceptre E249W-19203R
- Screen Size: 24 inches | Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Refresh Rate: 75Hz | Panel Type: VA
- Ports: 2x HDMI, 1x VGA
The Sceptre E249W-19203R boasts a simple and sleek design that easily complements any workspace or setup. Its ultra-slim profile and thin bezels contribute to a modern and stylish appearance. The screen’s matte finish effectively reduces reflections, improving visibility in brightly lit environments. It also comes with dual 2W speakers providing decent audio output.
Despite having a VA panel, the Sceptre E249W-19203R is very color accurate and boasts coverage of 99% of the sRGB color gamut. The monitor utilizes an LED-backlit display, which offers energy efficiency and consistent brightness across the screen.
Add to that, the monitor comes with not one, but two HDMI ports, along with a VGA port. As such, you can connect multiple devices to the monitor and switch the display using the OSD.
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6. Best Monitor for Gaming: KOORUI 24E4
- Screen Size: 24 inches | Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz | Panel Type: VA
- Ports: 2x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort
For its price, the KOORUI 24E4 comes with dual HDMI ports and a DisplayPort v1.2 port. When hooked to the latter, you can use the monitor at a whopping 165Hz. That, coupled with a low 1ms (MPRT) response time makes it great for gaming.
But wait, it gets better. The panel comes with support for AMD’s FreeSync technology and is also compatible with Nvidia’s G-Sync technology. So regardless of whichever GPU you have, you won’t have to worry about screen tearing with the 24E4.
Apart from that, despite featuring a VA panel, the 24E4 comes with 85% DCI-P3 coverage, making it great for photo and video editing as well. While there are no built-in speakers, the monitor does have an audio-out port. Similarly, while the stand lacks adjustability, you can mount it to a VESA 75 x 75mm stand.
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FAQs on Best Monitors Under $100
When selecting a budget monitor, focus on key factors such as display resolution and size, opting for better clarity and ample screen space. Prioritize an IPS panel for improved color accuracy and wide viewing angles. Also, consider the refresh rate and response time that align with your intended usage.
On budget monitors, common adjustment options include tilt functionality to change the screen angle, allowing for better viewing positions. However, more advanced adjustments like swivel, pivot, or full ergonomic flexibility are typically found in higher-end monitors.
Yes, some of these best budget monitors under $100 offer multiple input options like HDMI, VGA, and DisplayPort, allowing you to connect various devices simultaneously, such as laptops, gaming consoles, and media players.
Affordable Visual Treat
In conclusion, if you are looking for the best budget monitors under $100, you have several excellent options to choose from. Each of these best monitors under $100 offers a good balance of features and performance, and they can be a great option for students, gamers, and anyone else who needs a reliable and affordable monitor. Whether you prioritize color accuracy, gaming features, or stylish design, these monitors offer great value for money and will undoubtedly enhance your computing experience.
Last updated on 04 August, 2023
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