In recent years, gaming accessories have become a prominent part of the consumer market. From responsive mice to tactile keyboards, gaming accessories not only provide a radiant appearance but also the experience. It is no secret that a gaming mouse or keyboard can improve your perception in-game. However, gaming monitors have also become more and more eminent among consumers.
From refresh rates to response times, gaming monitors have proven to be particularly supportive in FPS (or e-Sports) games. Gaming monitors were once looked down upon due to their expensive costs. But, they have become more inexpensive since then! In this article, we have mentioned our picks for the best gaming monitor under 200$. We have based our picks on reviews, specifications, and personal opinions.
WHAT IS REFRESH RATE & INPUT LAG?
If you require a gaming monitor, there are some aspects that you need to consider before you purchase one. The most important features of a gaming monitor are the refresh rate and response time. Both of these functions are opposite to each other; the more the refresh rate, the better; the less the response time, the better.
The refresh rate is complicated to understand because there is much more that goes into it than just the frequencies. In simple words, the refresh rate is the number of frames that your monitor can output from your GPU. You may be familiar with FPS (frames-per-second); it is the number of individual images (or frames) that your GPU outputs in one second.
Obviously, this depends on how your GPU performs; better GPUs will provide better FPS. Your monitor outputs these frames so you can see a continuous time-lapse. The more the FPS, the smoother the experience will be for you. Often, people use 60 Hz monitors, which means that it only outputs 60 frames in one second. If you have a monitor which has a refresh rate of, say, 120 Hz, it will only output 120 frames in one second.
This gives you a notable advantage in games, particularly FPS ones, as you can see more individual frames at a time. This is why gaming monitors are often over 60 Hz. The most common refresh rates for gaming monitors are; 75 Hz, 120 Hz, 144 Hz, 240 Hz, and the recent 300 Hz.
For more information about refresh rates, you can watch the video below!
Response time, on the other hand, is the time that it takes for your monitor to register a function that you perform with your mouse or keyboard. For instance, say that you have a monitor with a response time of 5 milliseconds (ms) and you press “W” on your keyboard, it will take 5 milliseconds for your GPU to output that function onto your monitor’s screen – that is, if we ignore the response-time of your keyboard.
Gaming monitors often have a response time of 1 millisecond (ms), which is the minimum that is possible until now. This may not seem like a massive difference but it can matter most in fast-paced games where even a minor benefit can mean the difference between a win and a loss.
For more information about response times, you can watch the video below!
OUR PICKS FOR THE BEST GAMING MONITOR UNDER 200$:
#1: ASUS VG245H
ASUS has always been a prevalent brand when it comes to gaming products. The ASUS VG245H is just that. While it only has a 24” screen, the specifications of this monitor are remarkable. It features a 75 Hz refresh rate and a response time of 1 Milli-second (ms).
It is also compatible with AMD Free Sync, which reduces screen tears for a smoother output. The ASUS VG245H is intended for FPS gamers, as it features a custom cross-hair feature and presets for a cinematic experience. It also has two HDMI ports, which allow you to switch between your console and computer anytime you’d like without disconnection from either.
| RESOLUTION | FHD 1920×1080 |
| SCREEN SIZE | 24” |
| RESPONSE-TIME | 1 ms |
| PANEL TYPE | TN |
#2: AOC G2590FX
AOC is a brand renowned for the manufacture of premium monitors at an inexpensive cost. The AOC G2590FX is one such monitor that is remarkable and inexpensive as well. It features an FHD screen with a refresh rate of 144 Hz and a response time of 1 Milli-seconds (ms). Both of these features are ones that you’d expect in a much more expensive monitor but the AOC G2590FX has them.
The monitor is also flicker-free and features the Blue Mode to protect your eyes during an extended duration of gaming. Moreover, the AOC G2590FX has support for NVIDIA G-Sync and Adaptive Sync, which have the same function as AMD Free Sync.
| RESOLUTION | FHD 1920×1080 |
| SCREEN SIZE | 25” |
| RESPONSE-TIME | 1 ms |
| PANEL TYPE | TN |
#3: BENQ ZOWIE RL2455T
BenQ ZOWIE has always been an eminent choice for consumers when it comes to e-Sports. And, the BenQ ZOWIE RL2455T is no exception! It features an FHD screen with a refresh rate of 60 Hz. However, it can be overclocked to 75 Hz. It also features a response time of 1 millisecond (ms).
The BenQ ZOWIE RL2455T also features two HDMI ports and one D-Sub and DVI port. If you’re a competitive gamer that plays FPS games, then the BenQ ZOWIE RL2455T is a decent choice for budget consumers. It also outputs vibrant and sharp animations without compromising the performance of the monitor.
| RESOLUTION | FHD 1920×1080 |
| SCREEN SIZE | 25” |
| RESPONSE-TIME | 1 ms |
| PANEL TYPE | TN |
#4: SAMSUNG C27F398
Curved monitors have become the standard for many gaming enthusiasts, particularly AAA Gamers. Samsung C27F398 is one of the premium curved monitors for budget consumers. It provides an immersive experience while also featuring the gaming aspects, such as reduced response time and zero input lag.
The Samsung C27F398 features an FHD screen with an IPS panel, which makes the output more vibrant and makes it stand out. It also supports AMD Free Sync to reduce screen tears and makes the details pop with convenient contrast options. However, you will have to compromise on the response time, as it is only 4 Milli-seconds (ms).
| RESOLUTION | FHD 1920×1080 |
| SCREEN SIZE | 27” |
| RESPONSE-TIME | 4 ms |
| PANEL TYPE | IPS |
CONCLUSIONS:
If you require the best gaming monitor for under 200$, our picks should be where your search ends. Obviously, you will have to increase your budget for more features and performance, but under a budget of $200, these are the best gaming monitors you can find. It is important to choose a gaming monitor that provides both quality and performance, and these monitors do that.
If you have any recommendations for the best gaming monitor under 200$, do comment below!