The list of the cheapest monitors you can buy now is getting shorter by the minute since everybody is scrambling to get them due to the new normal. life indoors due to quarantines and work from home setups mean more people are building desktop PCs for gaming or jobs which in turn raising the demand. Supply lines are also affected as you can see, since many parts and peripherals are sadly, out of stock.
So, if you are in the market for a PC display, let us help you by pointing you in the direction of the cheapest monitors you can buy now. We picked the models with excellent feedback or test results, and of course, the lowest possible price.
What to Expect from the Cheapest Monitors You Can Buy Now
We’re trying to keep the price brackets as low as possible for this guide, so most of the monitors lack special features in favor of reliability and decent image quality. Creature comforts that you would normally find on premium models are also missing, with some even lacking an adjustable stand. The models that fall below the $200 mark usually have 1920 x 1080 resolutions, so you need to spend a bit more than that if you are looking for 1440p or 4K.
You might also want to consider what kind of input connection you want to use. Most of the time, special connectors like USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 aren’t available at lower price points so you might end up spending more for converters or adapters. USB ports for peripherals are also missing on some of the models, but the only disadvantage that presents is it will lessen your cable management options.
You would also notice that we mentioned that we mentioned casual gaming for the Cheapest Monitors You Can Buy Now guide. We included some high-refresh options, but the rest of them aren’t designed for fast-paced gaming. Playing for fun doesn’t need high-end monitors, but image quality and reliability will factor in for the device’s entire lifespan.
You also have to hurry if you want to get one of the cheapest monitors now since they aren’t available for long. The COVID-19 impact around the world spawned massive growth in the computer market since everybody is building setups for both gaming and work from home use. These models won’t last long, and even some of them are being restocked as we speak.
The Cheapest Monitors You Can Buy Now
Here are our top picks that are either in-stock or restocking within a reasonable timeline. Make sure to get them if you badly need a monitor upgrade since they will not be available for long.
Acer SB220Q – Amazon’s Best-Selling Budget IPS Monitor
The Acer SB220Q is one of the few sub-$100 monitors in the market that offers decent quality in both its physical characteristics and performance. The super-slim chassis holds a crystal-clear IPS panel with a 75Hz refresh rate and reasonable color performance. It’s one of the few that seems like it was factory-calibrated which is rare at this price bracket.
The Acer SB220Q’s main limitation is its screen size which is a bit smaller than the regular displays you will find in most homes and workplaces. However, that makes it a bit crisper while also helping you to save space. Its what makes the monitor a great secondary or as an option for multi-head setups while being superbly affordable.
ViewSonic VX2485-mhu – Cheapest USB-C Monitor for Business Use
The ViewSonic VX2485-mhu is the most affordable IPS monitor that includes a USB-C port for compatible laptops like the MacBook. It supports DP Alt Mode and it can provide up to 60 watts of charging, so you get a display-slash-dock for your USB-C laptops below $200. ViewSonic also did well with build quality and aesthetics, leaving nothing to be desired at its price point.
The ViewSonic VX2485-mhu features an IPS panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution and a 75Hz refresh rate. These are business monitor specs, but you can get decent performance from it for casual gaming and even movie streaming. Its contrast ratio is limited, but the color settings from the factory are decent enough for daily use.
Acer XFA240 – Cheapest G-Sync Compatible 144Hz Gaming Monitor
The Acer XFA240 is the easiest to own in the 144Hz segment that’s capable of competitive gaming performance. This model features a lightning-fast TN panel with very low response times for superb motion clarity. Its also one of the few that is certified to work with G-Sync Compatible Mode and FreeSync which means both Nvidia and AMD GPU users can enjoy tear-free gaming.
The Acer XFA240 is an older model especially if you look at its design, but its still is the most functional and ergonomic option in its price range. It features a fully adjustable stand and tank-like build quality, so most users won’t need to upgrade for quite some time.
BenQ PD2500Q – Affordable 1440p Monitor for Editing
The BenQ PD2500Q is the cheapest IPS monitor that falls into the prosumer category that features the brand’s AQCOLOR technology. It guarantees great color quality and vibrancy, as shown by the test results in our review. It also features several presets for different work apps such as CAD/CAM, making a flexible entry-level option.
The BenQ PD2500Q is also well-built with a functional design that will last long even with regular use. It also includes the brand’s Brightness Intelligence technology which adjusts the backlight according to work with your environment. It is one of the few models that incorporate the company’s high-end features into an affordable package.
Philips 276E8VJSB – Affordable 4K IPS Monitor with Great Accuracy
The Philips 276E8VJSB is the cheapest 4K monitor we can recommend if you want a monitor for a bit of everything, including editing and content creation. The monitor has limited features, but its IPS panel’s quality is a diamond in the rough. It can reproduce the sRGB gamut perfectly with a deltaE average that rivals its more expensive competitors.
It doesn’t have an adjustable stand or decorative lighting, but we can say that the Philips 276E8VJSB looks classy. Its connectivity lets you use it with two more 4K devices which may include a gaming console like the Xbox One X.
Philips 346B1C – Cheapest 100Hz Ultrawide Monitor with 90-Watt USB-C
The Philips 346B1C is consistently part of our top recommendations for its incredible price that includes a lot of sought-after features. The product offers a 34-inch QHD ultrawide that goes up to 100Hz while offering great image quality and accuracy. It’s suitable for gaming and professional use, especially after its calibrated or tweaked properly.
What makes the Philis 346B1C stand out further is its wide array of connectivity features. It includes a 90-watt USB-C slot that supports DP Alt Mode and enough juice to charge powerful laptops while in use. Most monitors that have the same design usually cost twice, making this an excellent value option
About the Author:
Paolo is a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since his junior high years. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations and he believes that it’s every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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