Best gaming monitor under $300 – Aug 2022

This sleek monitor from Alienware is the HF version which is Freesync compatible and of course the cheaper model. This monitor is a seriously good looking one and has some great features to go with it, which includes some well thought out RGB lighting. The thin bezels look fantastic and the sharp edges on the stand and feet do wonders for the aesthetics. The branding is subtle and attractive and goes well with the simple design.

It’s an incredibly sturdy stand and had almost no wobble when the desk is shaken, which is largely down to the monitor having some weight to it. The monitor is packed with great features like a USB and audio pass-through, making plugging in peripherals less of a chore. The 240Hz refresh rate should create some of the smoothest gameplay you will see if you have the machine to power it. It’s rare we see hardware from Alienware for such a reasonable price and this has to be considered one of the nicest looking Freesync monitors on the market.

Design is unreal on the AW2720HF and the performance is not too bad either! This monitor sports a 240Hz refresh rate which is unrivaled at this price, when you add in the fact it has a low response time too, it makes for a great competitive gaming experience. The monitor also comes with AMD’s Freesync technology meaning you can get some buttery smooth gaming with a max FPS set to 240!

• Best 1080p monitors 

The Acer Nitro VG271 is a 144Hz monitor with a very generous 27″display. This is the largest display in the Nitro range and we have already had good things to say about the smaller 24″ version so with this having more features for gamers it should stack up fairly well.

This monitor was one of the more surprising on the list and that it’s down to the number of features packed into this sleek frame. Inside the slim bezels is an IPS panel with a fantastic response time of just 1ms. The display is superb, you get true 8-bit colour depth with 99% sRGB gamut and a 400-nit brightness! What is impressive for a monitor at this price point is the fact it also has HDR support in its wheelhouse. This HDR support is entry level though and comes under the DisplayHDR 400 certification but it does lack in quality compared to more premium HDR monitors. The 27″ IPS panel makes up for the fact it is only 1080p and this is a very cost effective way of getting some great image detail for a fraction of the price.

The 1ms VRB does a good job of removing any motion blur from fast-paced games and movies which is always welcome for a better viewing experience. The monitor boasts 144Hz refresh rate which is perfect for gaming and general use as it just appears buttery smooth and an absolute joy to use. The monitor does feature AMD’s Freesync which if you pair with the brilliant refresh rate can give you tear-free gaming at a very high frame rate(144fps).

Overall, the Acer VG271 is one of the best budget monitors on the market with great value for what you get. If you want all the advantages of an IPS panel with vibrant colors, wide viewing angles, and quick response time then this responsive monitor could be the right option for you.

• Best 27 inch gaming monitor

The ASUS VG278Q is a fantastic choice for any gamer. It features a high refresh rate and a low response time bringing a great product for competitive gaming.

Our favorite thing about this monitor is the 144Hz refresh rate. You can instantly notice the difference if you have been laboured with 60Hz and you will never go back once you try some E-sports on a monitor like this.

You are getting a very premium feeling monitor here for a fraction of the price and its largely down to the brilliant build quality. The speakers aren’t that great considering the price, but the OSD controls make adjustments convenient. It also comes with venting holes and a smart cable management hole at the base of the stand so you can conceal the hideous cables on your desk.

This is a 27-inch 1080p resolution gaming monitor. While there are higher resolutions, 1080p is still great for competitive FPS gaming. The stand is brilliant too, you can do a tilt, swivel, pivot, and adjust the height for the best viewing angle. You can also have this mounted on the wall since it’s VESA compatible.

For connections, you have a DVI-D port, a DisplayPort, HDMI, and aux ports. Make sure you get a separate DVI-D Dual Link Cable if you don’t have one already because this doesn’t come with a DVI-D cable which is a shame as you will need this for higher hertz usage.

Lastly, this has an AMD FreeSync technology that removes stutters and screen tearing when gaming which is a great feature to include. If you’re looking for a highly responsive 1080p monitor for under $300 that has a 144Hz refresh rate, this is for you.

• Best G-Sync gaming monitors

The Asus ROG Strix XG27VQ is a curved beast spanning at 27″ in size, with a resolution of 1920 x 1080. You are also getting a VA panel from Asus which supports Freesync, reasonable response time, and a very good refresh rate.

The monitor looks like most with the ROG Strix name. You are getting the classic stand with the 3 arms sprawling out from the middle which features a customisable red LED image emitting from beneath. The monitor oozes a ‘gamer’ vibe which is more prominent on the back of the monitor. The monitor features a very slim design with minimal bezels and a thin profile to match. The design can seem a bit over the top and many may prefer a more subtle approach to monitor design but the performance from this is exemplary. The monitor features Aura RGB lighting on the back which isn’t the most useful feature to have on a monitor, especially on the back but if you turn the main light off in the room you are in it does sort of illuminate the area behind the monitor quite nicely.

The monitor is, of course, curved and gives the user a greater viewing experience by immersing you further into the game you are playing or movie you are watching. Naturally, the viewing angles are a bit worse off due to the curved nature of the monitor but the VA panel is great with a high enough brightness of 300-nits and decent enough colour gamut. The response time is a bit weak at 4ms but it isn’t the end of the world and you are getting a great compromise of a VA panel. The refresh rate is the magic 144Hz which is optimal for a lot of gamers and it does feature Freesync so you can pair it with that for smoother gaming.

Overall we have a solid monitor here as you would expect from Asus and it is full to the brim with key gaming features. It may be slightly over the $300 budget but it’s a worthy contender, to say the least.

• Best FreeSync monitors 

This 4K gaming option from Asus is our budget pick with a price tag that is pretty impressive for a 4K display. PC and console gamers alike can get a bit of enjoyment in 4K out of the Asus VP28UQG for a seriously low price.

This monitor may have a TN panel but it is it for purpose in the realm of gaming and will give many out there a chance to experience 4K resolution gaming. Whether you are a casual gamer after some crisp 4K displays or just on a budget then this could be a great option, to begin with as it’s relatively inexpensive and will still give you some amazing looking gameplay. Do bear in mind the quality is what you pay for so if you have extra in the budget consider an IPS display. Negatives aside, overall this 28-inch monitor has a lightning-fast response time and is Freesync compatible so well worth a look for the 4K enthusiast!

• Best 4K gaming monitor