There has been a recent shift in the gaming monitor market (and, to be fair, the whole monitor market) away from Full HD 1920 x 1080p over to ultra-high-definition. And this shift has brought some pretty ridiculous deals on the slightly older tech, with Full HD monitors retailing for a fraction of what they cost just a few short years ago.
No, we aren’t talking about true high-end gaming monitors (which can cost more than the computer itself)…
These Full HD 1920 x 1080p offerings may be missing a few of the bells and whistles that we all expect from the top-end of the range, but they still do a great job in most circumstances, especially for gamers!
So, don’t worry if you dropped more cash than you meant to on your rig, and have left a smaller budget than you expected for the monitor. These days there are a heap of options out there for budget screens, so let’s dip our toes in and find out which is the best gaming monitor under $100!
Contents
- 1 Top 6 Best Gaming Monitor Under $100 In 2023 Review
- 1.1 1 ASUS VS228H-P 21.5” Full HD 1920×1080 HDMI DVI VGA LCD Monitor with Back-lit LED – Best Value for the Money Gaming Monitor Under $100
- 1.2 2 Planar PLN2400 24” LCD Monitor – Best Budget Gaming Monitor Under $100
- 1.3 3 Acer SB220Q BI 21.5 inches Full HD IPS Ultra-Thin Zero Frame Monitor – Best Performing Gaming Monitor Under $100
- 1.4 4 Acer G226HQL 21.5-Inch Screen LED Monitor – Lightest Gaming Monitor Under $100
- 1.5 5 Acer HA220Q bi 21.5” IPS Full HD Monitor Ultra-Thin Design – Thinnest Gaming Monitor Under $100
- 1.6 6 Acer R221Q bid 21.5-Inch IPS Full HD 1920 x 1080p Display (VGA, DVI & HDMI Ports) – Best Multi Screen Gaming Monitor Under $100
- 1.7 Best Gaming Monitor Under $100 Buyers Guide
- 2 Looking For More Exciting Ways To Get The Most From Your Gaming?
- 3 But, What’s The Best Gaming Monitor Under $100?
Top 6 Best Gaming Monitor Under $100 In 2023 Review
1 ASUS VS228H-P 21.5” Full HD 1920×1080 HDMI DVI VGA LCD Monitor with Back-lit LED – Best Value for the Money Gaming Monitor Under $100
As soon as we think of the best monitors for any application, gaming or not, one of the first brand names to pop into our brains is ASUS. And for good reason, with the Taipei based electronics megalith producing some of the best (and most affordable) screens available today!
If you’re looking for an entry-level HD monitor that has a 60Hz refresh rate and a respectable response time for gaming (or anything else), then this is the perfect place to start! Asus have decided to go with a 21.5-inch screen (corner to corner), Full HD 1920 x 1080p resolution with a 16:9 aspect ratio, a viewing angle of 170° H x 160° V, and a response time of 5ms.
Vibrant colors…
If you are looking for a super bright screen that will do well in even the brightest of rooms, then you can stop your search! The ASUS VS228H-P comes with incredible focus and sharpness, which makes it perfect at keeping the text clear and sharp, and ensuring that only the most vibrant colors are displayed.
The one downside we found was that the stand was a little flimsy (or not extremely rage quit friendly anyway!). But, have no fear, as this isn’t the most pressing problem, and the monitor can be quickly and easily wall-mounted!
Great Value for the money…
For the price, this is an absolute bargain, so check it out and see what you’ve been missing!
(4.4 / 5)Pros
- Constant sharp, clear, and bright picture quality.
- Heaps of settings to play with.
- Low price.
- HDMI, DVI, VGA inputs.
Cons
- Slightly flimsy stand.
2 Planar PLN2400 24” LCD Monitor – Best Budget Gaming Monitor Under $100
The all-new Planar PLN2400 24” LCD Monitor is an extremely cost-effective 24-inch widescreen Full HD LED-backlit LCD monitor. With its modern, frame-less bezel design, high refresh rate, and multiple inputs – this is a monitor perfectly suited for anyone looking for a budget gaming monitor!
Still not convinced?
Ok, well how about this – This gorgeously designed Full HD monitor supplies extreme viewing angles of 178°/178°. Planar claims that the PLN2400 is totally flicker-free and the integration of blue light reduction presets reduce eye fatigue to help maintain long-lasting visual comfort.
Featuring multiple inputs including HDMI and VGA (with both cables included), full HD 1920 x 1080p, 250cd/m² brightness, and an IPS panel, which is usually reserved for more expensive monitors. As well as a response time of 6 ms, 60hz refresh rate, a three year extended warranty, and a 24-inch screen size puts this monitor near the top of the list for best gaming monitors under $100!
Easily mounted…
And just like the previous offering, wall mounting is wonderfully simple, as it is compatible with wall mounting options that incorporate the use of the extremely popular 100mm VESA mount.
(4 / 5)Pros
- Large viewing angle.
- Borderless design.
- Full HD.
- Easy to wall mount.
- HDMI and VGA.
Cons
- Middling color and grayscale performance.
3 Acer SB220Q BI 21.5 inches Full HD IPS Ultra-Thin Zero Frame Monitor – Best Performing Gaming Monitor Under $100
The Acer SB220Q BI Full HD monitor is probably the most popular gaming monitor on the market under $100 right now.
And for good reason!
The 21.5 IPS panel comes with 1920 x 1080p resolution, a very quick 4ms response time, AMD FreeSync (which all but guarantee smooth performance), and a 75 Hz refresh rate. It delivers spot-on, uniform, and brilliantly intense colors that help bring to life games, something that many TN panels at this price point claim, but fail to deliver.
What is AMD FreeSynch?
AMD FreeSynch is technology released in 2016 that revolutionized Full HD monitors. It’s designed to drastically decrease the visual artifacts that can sometimes occur as a result of your graphics card’s frame rate being out of sync with your monitor’s inbuilt refresh rate. This makes games look and feel smoother.
AMD released the tech as a direct response to Nvidia G-Sync, which works in a very similar way, except AMD’s tech starts at a much lower price! So, if you have an AMD graphics card installed, this screen just got even tastier!
Crystal clear…
The 21.5-inch screen is at the lower end of the size range that we recommend, but that does come with its own advantages. Basically, the smaller the screen, the denser the pixel count making the picture clearer with more detailing. As long as you are able to sit close enough to the screen, this can definitely work to your advantage!
(4.6 / 5)Pros
- AMD FreeSync.
- 75Hz refresh rate.
- Modern design with ultra-thin bezels.
- Large viewing angle.
Cons
- Nothing glaring considering the asking price.
4 Acer G226HQL 21.5-Inch Screen LED Monitor – Lightest Gaming Monitor Under $100
When Acer introduced the G226HQL in 2017, both reviewers and users were quick to snap them up. Mixing Full HD 1920 x 1080p, a rapid 5ms response time, and a DVI-D input that supports the HDCP for the viewing of digital and copy-protected content. This, along with its slim profile all for an extremely low cost, Acer were able to capture the market’s attention – and that attention has not yet waivered!
It’s easy to see why!
All G6 Series monitors comply with RoHS standards, making them an extremely green option. By using mercury-free white LED backlighting, Acer EcoDisplay technologies deliver up to 68% additional power savings, which increases energy conservation and lowers costs. Acer packaging is also made from fully recycled materials.
The TN panel of the Acer G226HQL PC monitor provides a speedy 5ms response time. Although not down at 1ms, like top-end PC monitors today, 5ms is more than fast enough to eliminate most ghosting issues. It also does a great job keeping up with the more fast-paced video games (plus, at this price point, 5ms is quite generous!).
The Acer G226HQL is one of the slimmest and most lightweight screens on this list, and with its gorgeous clean aesthetic and X shaped base, it looks like it should cost a fair bit more than it does!
(4.2 / 5)Pros
- DVI-D input.
- 5ms response time.
- Sharp picture quality.
- TN Panel.
Cons
- No HDMI input.
5 Acer HA220Q bi 21.5” IPS Full HD Monitor Ultra-Thin Design – Thinnest Gaming Monitor Under $100
If you are looking for a super slim PC gaming monitor that is priced below $100, the search may well be over! The stunning Acer HA220 21.5″ 1080p budget monitor comes in well under $100 and is an unbelievable 6.6mm wide (when viewed side-on).
Inside this minuscule bezel, the designers from Acer have managed to fit a fantastic Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution IPS (In-Plane Switching) display, which comes with a 250 cd/m² brightness rating, and a response time of only 4ms. Other features include the 178° horizontal and vertical viewing angles for a more comfortable viewing experience, and support for more than sixteen million colors!
Refresh yourself…
The display also has a refresh rate of 75Hz (a shy higher than the usual 60hz). Many gamers would actually prefer an even higher refresh rate of 144Hz, but at this price point, that is simply not available right now. And when combined with the 4ms response time, the visuals are more than smooth enough.
Fans of racing and FPS games will benefit most from this fast response time, as motion blur and ghosting are almost completely removed. And, just like the earlier reviewed Acer SB220Q, this monitor also uses AMD FreeSynch technology – further eliminating motion blur and ghosting.
Plenty of connections…
With the exception of the missing DVI port, this monitor has all the connectivity options we are used to seeing. This was not a huge issue for us, but it may be for you if your graphics card requires DVI support.
(4.3 / 5)Pros
- AMD FreeSync.
- Super slim profile.
- Refresh rate of 75Hz.
- 4ms response time.
- IPS panel with wide viewing angle.
Cons
- No DVI port.
6 Acer R221Q bid 21.5-Inch IPS Full HD 1920 x 1080p Display (VGA, DVI & HDMI Ports) – Best Multi Screen Gaming Monitor Under $100
We just reviewed an Acer without an HDMI port. Then, one without a DVI port. But what if you need one of the best gaming monitors under $100 with both of those ports?
Check this out:
The Acer R221Q has got you covered! With all the connectivity bases covered (HDMI, DVI with HDCP, and VGA), a Full HD IPS Widescreen with 1920 x 1080 resolution, and a 4ms response time. All this along with an inbuilt blue-light filter, 250 cd/m² of bright flicker-less technology, and Acer ComfyView technology – which is a big help in reducing the dreaded screen glare.
If you are looking for a multi-screen setup, this is the ideal screen. The sleek, matte black zero frame design creates an unparalleled viewing experience, which is perfect for building setups with two or more monitors side-by-side. The 4 ms response is slower than the response time of most contemporary TN panels; however, it is one of the best in the IPS market.
Plus, it is practically impossible to notice much of a difference between a 4 ms or 1 ms response time. And the advantages of using an IPS monitor, such as the increased viewing angle and color gamut, outweigh the cons!
Superb pricing…
Overall this is an absolute gem of a monitor, and it has never been more affordable, so go check one out!
(4.5 / 5)Pros
- Great display clarity.
- Super affordable.
- Compatible with most devices.
- Wide color gamut.
Cons
- No VESA wall mount connection.
Best Gaming Monitor Under $100 Buyers Guide
What exactly should we be looking for when we are trying to find the best gaming monitor under $100? We discussed this at length in the office and came up with our top five important criteria.
- Panel
With a plethora of panel options available, each with its own pros and cons, is there a panel type best suited for gaming?
That’s an interesting question to answer. The quick answer is yes, and no…. Confusing, right?
The most popular and common are the Twisted Nematic, or TN, panels. The lightning-fast refresh rate and pixel response makes this type of panel highly suited to the rigors of gaming. However, color-shifting becomes a problem when the screen is viewed from a specific angle (although never from straight in front).
Vertical Alignment, or VA, panels are held in high esteem for their inherent high contrast ratio. This type of panel is known for its ongoing ability to provide the deepest blacks and the most powerful colors but, are also blamed for providing excessive ghosting.
In-Panel Switching, or IPS, panels are the most widely used panels for professionals these days. This technology has a much broader viewing angle and awesome color quality, but the pixel quality and quantity is not as high as that of TN panels.
- Screen size
Ask most hardcore gamers what screen size they prefer, and they will answer 21-24 inches more often than not. Anything bigger, and it can be hard to focus on the overall picture while still grabbing the smaller details, while any screen below 21 inches will be too small to see everything happening on screen.
This is the most personal choice when it comes to stats, though, as some users may like a larger screen, while others may prefer something a little smaller.
- Response time
As a rule of thumb, the lower the response time, the better. This is the feature that competitive gamers will care most about – the lower the response rate of a monitor, the smoother and clearer output it produces on the screen. An adequate response time falls anywhere between 1-10 milliseconds, with most top monitors delivering a response time of 1-2 ms.
- Refresh Rate
The refresh rate of a monitor is exactly what it sounds like – how many times per second a monitor refreshes the picture. Common refresh rates range from 60 Hz all the way up to 240 Hz, with the higher refresh rates seen in, the more expensive monitors. The preferred refresh rate for gaming is 120 Hz and up, but 60 Hz will do a great job for many games.
- Input and Output Ports
A great gaming monitor should have all the options available when it comes to connectivity. At least one HDMI port (two is better), with the top gaming monitors also offering both DVI and Displayport connectivity. A multitude of USB ports is also important.
Looking For More Exciting Ways To Get The Most From Your Gaming?
If so, then take a look at our Best Budget Gaming Chairs under 200 reviews and our Best Gaming Desks review. And for another monitor option, you may also be interested in our in-depth Asus VG248QE Gaming Monitor review.
But, What’s The Best Gaming Monitor Under $100?
So, after taking a glance at what is on offer for the best gaming monitors under $100, has one jumped out at you?
For us, the winner was not easy to choose. But after considering all the options, we reckon that the…
Acer R221Q bid 21.5-Inch IPS Full HD 1920 x 1080p monitor…takes the cake. With its multiple connections, ISP panel with wide viewing angle, and low response time, it had to be our winner!
Happy Gaming.
