Top 10 Best Budget 1080p 144Hz Gaming Monitors To Buy In 2024

After spending days researching over 30 monitors, we found that BenQ ZOWIE XL2411 and ASUS VG248QE are the best options for most gamers who don´t want to spend tons of money. Both monitors have large, high-resolution 24-inch screens and offer high refresh rates for smooth, fluid gameplay without tearing or stuttering.

Best Budget 1080p 144Hz Gaming Monitors (2024)

BEST CHOICE

PREMIUM PICK

BEST VALUE

BenQ ZOWIE XL2411P 24 Inch 144Hz Gaming Monitor, 1080P 1ms, Black eQualizer and Color Vibrance for Competitive Edge
ASUS VG248QE 24" Full HD 1920x1080 144Hz 1ms HDMI Gaming Monitor
AOC G2460PF 24” Gaming Monitor, FreeSync, FHD (1920x1080), TN Panel, 144Hz, 1ms, Height Adjustable, DisplayPort, HDMI, USB

BenQ Zowie XL2411P 24" Esports Gaming Monitor

ASUS VG248QE 24" Full HD Gaming Monitor

AOC G2460PF 24” Gaming Monitor

BEST CHOICE

BenQ ZOWIE XL2411P 24 Inch 144Hz Gaming Monitor, 1080P 1ms, Black eQualizer and Color Vibrance for Competitive Edge

BenQ Zowie XL2411P 24" Esports Gaming Monitor

PREMIUM PICK

ASUS VG248QE 24" Full HD 1920x1080 144Hz 1ms HDMI Gaming Monitor

ASUS VG248QE 24" Full HD Gaming Monitor

BEST VALUE

AOC G2460PF 24” Gaming Monitor, FreeSync, FHD (1920x1080), TN Panel, 144Hz, 1ms, Height Adjustable, DisplayPort, HDMI, USB

AOC G2460PF 24” Gaming Monitor

Affiliate links: Clicking the device names, images or check price buttons will redirect you to the product listing on the appropriate Amazon.com (.co.uk, .de, etc.)  / Image courtesy of Amazon

You can have the best gaming PC in the world, but it will be all for nothing if you have a crappy monitor.

A monitor is an important place where you see all the hard work you put into a gaming computer.

Not all monitors are created equal

Let’s face it.

Getting 3840 x 2160 pixels at 60 frames per second is something you will enjoy only with a combination of the most powerful graphics cards and CPUs.

Having 144 fps at 1080p in games is possible even for owners of mid-range PCs, and if you are working on a tight budget, you should buy an affordable monitor to pair with your PC gaming setup.

And then a budget-friendly 1080p monitor is a smart option.

In this guide, we will show you the best cheap 1080p 144Hz gaming monitors in 2024 that won’t ruin your budget.

We divided these gaming monitors into different price ranges – under $200, under $300, and $400. Of course, market prices vary so each gaming monitor will not stay at the same price all year round.

Best Cheap 1080p 144Hz Monitors For Gaming

BEST 144HZ GAMING MONITOR UNDER $200

Best 144Hz Gaming Monitor: Acer GN246HL Bbid

Acer GN246HL
Acer GN246HL – credit: directcanada.com

SCREEN SIZE: 24-inch

DISPLAY TYPE: LED

RESOLUTION (MAX): Full HD 1920 x 1080

REFRESH RATE: 144Hz

ASPECT RATIO: 16:9

PANEL TYPE: TN panel

MORE: NVIDIA 3D Vision Ready, NVIDIA 3D Lightboost

Acer is a worldwide company that has been providing customers with quality computer hardware for about 40 years. Truly, Acer is not the first brand that comes to mind when somebody says gaming hardware, but with its Acer GN246HL, the company won the hearts of many gamers around the world.

This model can be considered a cheap 1080p 144hz monitor, but it is still one of the fastest on the market. The screen manages to display vivid colors and smooth gameplay without lag or ghosting. Even advanced monitors have problems with these features.

We are sure, you can find cheaper monitors, as well as those with higher performance, but you´ll have a hard time finding a 24-inch model for under this price which will give you the same image quality. The 144Hz refresh rate on this model is insane. The GN256HL is without a doubt one of the best 144hz gaming monitors under 200 right now.

Read the full Acer GN246HL review

FOR: Cheap 144hz monitor  3-year limited warranty  Ready for 3D gaming

AGAINST: No built-in speakers  Don’t have rotation or height adjust  Some users have complained about the screen is too bright.

AOC G2460PF 24-Inch Professional Gaming LED Monitor

AOC G2460PF
AOC G2460PF – credit: currys.co.uk

SCREEN SIZE: 24-inch

DISPLAY TYPE: LED

RESOLUTION (MAX): Full HD 1920 x 1080

REFRESH RATE: 144Hz

ASPECT RATIO: 16:9

PANEL TYPE: TN panel

MORE: AMD FreeSync, speakers, height and swivel adjustable

Not the best, but still a good entry-level monitor with the support of AMD Freesync technology. FreeSync in combination with 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time will produce an improved gaming experience when you compare it to a regular monitor. AOC G2460PF is budget-priced gaming LED monitor for people who want to enjoy HD gaming without wasting too much money on expensive models. A good choice if you have a FreeSync compatible AMD GPU.

FOR: Bright and vibrant images Attractive design Inexpensive

AGAINST: Weak speakers

BEST 144HZ GAMING MONITOR UNDER $300

Best Overall: BenQ ZOWIE 24 inch 144Hz eSports Gaming Monitor

BenQ ZOWIE XL2411
BenQ ZOWIE XL2411 – source: zowie.benq.com

SCREEN SIZE: 24-inch

DISPLAY TYPE: LED-Lit

RESOLUTION (MAX): Full HD 1920 x 1080

REFRESH RATE: 144Hz

ASPECT RATIO: 16:9

PANEL TYPE: TN panel

MORE: Flicker-free technology, eSports ready

BenQ ZOWIE XL2411 has its pros and cons, like every other monitor. If you are looking for amazing color accuracy and almost perfect blacks, this is not the model for you. But if you looking for a great entry-level high refresh monitor, your research is over.

You won’t find a better monitor with so strong performance under $300. The BenQ Zowie XL2411 is specifically designed for serious competitive gamers. The colors are great and the contrast ratio is ideal for most games. Overall, if you are a serious competitive gamer, this model should be your first stop. The XL2411 not only the best 144hz gaming monitor under 300 but also the best monitor on this list

FOR: The frame minimizes visual distractions  Low Blue Light Flicker-Free technology for reduced eye strain  Good color reproduction

AGAINST: No profile switcher

Nixeus Vue 24″ 144Hz Gaming Monitor

Nixeus Vue 24
Nixeus Vue 24 – source: nixeus.com

SCREEN SIZE: 24-inch

DISPLAY TYPE: LED

RESOLUTION (MAX): Full HD 1920 x 1080

REFRESH RATE: 144Hz

ASPECT RATIO: 16:9

PANEL TYPE: TN panel

MORE: AMD FreeSync, premium stand with height adjustment

The Nixeus Vue 24 is aimed right at the average gamers who won’t go over the $300 price tag. A Full HD 1080p TN panel with a fast 1ms response time and 144Hz refresh rate making it a decent choice for beginning gamers. If you are having some doubts about this purchase then why not read some real owner reviews and see what other buyers think?

FOR: Crisp, clear, bright and detailed video  Fast response time  Stylish and sturdy design

AGAINST: Freesync only works in fullscreen mode and not borderless window

ASUS VG248QE 24″ Full HD 1920×1080 144Hz 1ms Gaming Monitor

ASUS VG248QE
ASUS VG248QE – source: asus.com

SCREEN SIZE: 24-inch

DISPLAY TYPE: LED

RESOLUTION (MAX): Full HD 1920 x 1080

REFRESH RATE: 144Hz

ASPECT RATIO: 16:9

PANEL TYPE: TN panel

MORE: eSports ready, built-in 2W speakers

ASUS VG248QE is designed to be a gaming monitor that delivers a high-responsive experience in fast-paced games. And it does its job well.

With super-low input lag, good pixel responsiveness 144Hz refresh rate, and no distracting levels of inverse ghosting, this monitor displays crisp, smooth video even while you are playing fast action games. Of course, the price is too high to be in the category of entry-level 144Hz monitors, but the ASUS VG248QE is still a recommended choice for anyone looking to improve their gaming experience.

FOR: Good color reproduction Tilt, and rotation adjustment  supports 3D  Lighboost for Nvidia users eliminates a lot of motion blur and tearing in games

AGAINST: Little faded and washed out colors Value

AOC G2460PQU 144hz 24-Inch Professional Gaming Monitor

AOC G2460PQU
AOC G2460PQU – source: eu.aoc.com

SCREEN SIZE: 24-inch

DISPLAY TYPE: LED

RESOLUTION (MAX): Full HD 1920 x 1080

REFRESH RATE: 144Hz

ASPECT RATIO: 16:9

PANEL TYPE: TN panel

MORE: AMD Freesync, 7 display modes, built-in speakers

The AOC G2460PQU is a decent monitor for your money. It offers a super-speed refresh rate, average image quality, and vivid colors, but we think you can find better monitors with more accurate colors. You should consider buying this model because of its affordable price.

Good enough for everyday use, for an average or aspiring gamer, and for people who want to enjoy watching HD movies.

FOR: Excellent build quality adjustable very fast response time

AGAINST: Average color reproduction  low contrast ratio horrible speakers

ViewSonic XG2401 24″ 144Hz 1080p FreeSync Gaming Monitor

ViewSonic XG2401
ViewSonic XG2401 – source: viewsonic.com

SCREEN SIZE: 24-inch

DISPLAY TYPE: LED-Lit

RESOLUTION (MAX): Full HD 1920 x 1080

REFRESH RATE: 144Hz

ASPECT RATIO: 16:9

PANEL TYPE: TN panel

MORE: AMD Freesync, 22-level black stabilization (for better visibility), low input lag

Genre-specific display modes (dedicated FPS, MOBA, and RTS), fast response time, highly flexible stand, and AMD FreeSync support for tear-free gaming, ViewSonic XG2401 has everything you need to play competitively. If you are researching a monitor that can handle fast gaming action, this model is a solid choice that won’t drain your bank account.

FOR: Speedy pixel response and refresh rate AMD FreeSync anti-tearing technology.

AGAINST: Weak speakers

BEST 144HZ GAMING MONITOR UNDER $400

Best 144Hz Gaming Monitor with G-Sync: Acer Predator XB241H

Acer Predator XB241H
Acer Predator XB241H – source: acer.com

SCREEN SIZE: 24-inch

DISPLAY TYPE: LED

RESOLUTION (MAX): Full HD 1920 x 1080

REFRESH RATE: 144Hz

ASPECT RATIO: 16:9

PANEL TYPE: TN panel

MORE: 2 speakers, SmartSync technology,  Nvidia G-Sync, Nvidia 3D Lightboost technology, Ultra Low Motion Blur

Are you serious about gaming but still need a cheap 1080p 144hz g-sync full HD monitor? Acer Predator XB241H is something you should consider? It has an Nvidia G-Sync display, a 1920×1080 24 inch Twisted Nematic Film panel, comes with 2 speakers, and delivers overall a smooth gaming picture.

Packed with features you can find in higher-end models, this model has been rightfully used for several different E-sports events.

FOR: Ultra Low Motion Blur technology makes a moving object appear sharp without ghosting Attractive design, great gaming performance

AGAINST: Underpowered speakers

ViewSonic XG2402

ViewSonic XG2402
ViewSonic XG2402 – source: viewsonic.com

SCREEN SIZE: 24-inch

DISPLAY TYPE: LED-Lit

RESOLUTION (MAX): Full HD 1920 x 1080

REFRESH RATE: 144Hz

ASPECT RATIO: 16:9

PANEL TYPE: TN panel

MORE: SmartSync technology, AMD FreeSync, 2 built-in speakers, 22-level black stabilization (for better visibility), low input lag

The ViewSonic XG2402 monitor has above-average picture quality and a wide enough adjustment range of settings to suit the taste of anyone. This model brings you a sleek design and all the key features needed for a competitive gaming experience. You might enjoy a sharp and bright display with HDMI, DVI, and VGA making it easy to find a compatible output for any laptop.

FOR: Great responsiveness while gaming  Easy setup  Excellent image quality

AGAINST: The volume produced by built-in speakers is insufficient

Best 144Hz Gaming Monitor with FreeSync: BenQ ZOWIE XL2430

BenQ ZOWIE XL2430
BenQ ZOWIE XL2430 – source: zowie.benq.com

SCREEN SIZE: 24-inch

DISPLAY TYPE: LED-Lit

RESOLUTION (MAX): Full HD 1920 x 1080

REFRESH RATE: 144Hz

ASPECT RATIO: 16:9

PANEL TYPE: TN panel

MORE: Flicker-free technology, AMD FreeSync, eSports ready, fast refresh rate

The BenQ ZOWIE XL2430 is a solid gaming monitor equipped with many connectivity ports, a fast pixel response, and a slick-looking ergonomic stand that lets you adjust the panel for your comfort and ideal viewing position. In short, the BenQ XL2430 is a full-featured, midsize gaming monitor that delivers solid all-around performance, a fast pixel response, and a 144Hz refresh rate.

FOR: Fully adjustable stand  Solid gaming performance

AGAINST: Expensive

GAMING MONITOR BUYING GUIDE And FAQs

How to Choose the Right Gaming Monitor?

Buying a good cheap gaming monitor isn’t an easy task, on the contrary, it can be a bit confusing. Not all monitors are created equal!

It doesn’t matter if you are an experienced gamer or you play for fun a few hours a week, there are still many options and specifications to take into consideration.

In this guide, we want to simplify this process and introduce you most important specs and features you should be aware of when shopping so that you can choose the right gaming monitor fitting your needs for the best price possible.

CRITICAL GAMING MONITOR CONSIDERATIONS

There are a few important things you might want to consider before making the purchase and for this reason, we have created a short guide dedicated not only to gamers.

RESOLUTION All monitors now come at a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 (Full HD), but you can easily find models with more pixels – WQHD (2,560 x 1,440) and 4K (3,840 x 2,160). Of course, they come at a higher price.

REFRESH RATE A 60Hz monitor is common nowadays, but there are still 75Hz, 144Hz, and even up to 200Hz monitors to choose from. Why is the refresh rate so important for gamers? The higher the refresh rate you get, the smoother the game will be. A huge difference in the gaming experience.

PANEL TYPE You can choose from TN, IPS/PLS, and VA panels. In short, TN panels have a fast response time, but poor color accuracy. IPS/PLS panels are the opposite. Good color accuracy, but slow response times, and VA is the in-betweener. This is a reason why TN panels are recommended as the best panels for gaming, but this is not true in every case.

RESPONSE TIME You want to have a panel with the lowest possible response time. Response times from manufacturers are G2G (grey-to-grey), and 1ms which is the fastest time achievable.

INPUT LAG Put is simple, it is the time it takes for an input (keyboard, mouse) to be registered on your monitor. This is a little hard to test, but it’s an important factor for competitive gamers.

PWM FLICKER FREE – Monitors with PWM flicker-free technology will help prevent your eyes from getting tired, so you can enjoy the longest gaming sessions.

DESIGN AND QUALITY You can say that a well-built monitor is more pleasant to look at. The design is just a subjective factor.

ULMB, NVIDIA G-SYNC, AMD FREESYNC Ultra Low Motion Blur (ULMB) reduces blur from your screen. Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync are helping to reduce screen tearing. G-Sync comes at a premium, AMD’s FreeSync is free.

Resolution

These days you don’t want to go for anything less than full HD 1080p (which is 1920 x 1080). Fortunately, most monitors will have at least this resolution but just make sure in case.

When it comes to visual quality, the resolution is one of the most important graphics settings, but always keep in mind that it is also demanding in terms of performance.

You can find the following resolutions on gaming monitors today:

  • 1080p (Full HD)
  • 1440p (QHD/2K)
  • 2160p (UHD/4K)

Full HD – 1080p (1920 x 1080): A most popular resolution for the average gamer today. It allows great in-game performance without a need for expensive graphics cards or high-end integrated GPUs. Full HD 1080p is best for a monitor at 24 inches and smaller sizes while offering reasonably sharp display and balanced performance.

Quad HD – 1440p (2560 x 1440): This resolution requires better hardware to run your games smoothly, and can be found in monitors 25 inches and bigger. For most competitive gamers, Quad HD is slowly becoming the new standard, offering noticeably better visuals while not being too demanding on the hardware.

Ultra HD – 2160p (3840 x 2160): Also known as 4K, it is the highest resolution available on mainstream monitors today which requires even more power from your gaming PC. Of course, this resolution is not for everyone, you should really have a powerful PC and a lot of money because 4K monitors are a huge investment.

AVERAGE (Casual) GAMER – Select 1080p if you like performance over visual quality. We know that casual gamers have often limited budgets, so the top 10 list above is full of interesting and still cheap 144hz monitors for you.

COMPETITIVE GAMER – This category of gamers prioritizes performance, but also picture quality, high contrast and resolution to see better all the important details that do matter to you. Choose 1440p if you are looking for a good balance between graphics and performance.

PRO GAMER – People in this category want to have the best possible screen performance. If the price doesn’t matter, you have the best gaming PC you can build, go and buy a 4K monitor. The 2160p gives you the best graphics you can possibly get. For most Pro gamers, Quad HD is still a great option right now and in the near future.

GTA 5 1080p Vs 1440p Vs 4K GTX Titan X Frame Rate – VRAM Comparison

Refresh Rate

Another important element. For years, the refresh rate has been the most important number for gamers when buying a monitor.

What does refresh rate mean?

The refresh rate is a speed (rate) at which the image on the screen on the screen can be refreshed per second. It is measured in Hertz (Hz) and the faster the rate is, the more times the image can be updated and the smoother the image looks.

Most monitors have the following refresh rates:

  • 60 Hz
  • 120 Hz
  • 240 Hz

The difference between a 60 Hz and 120 Hz monitor, simply put, is that the monitor with 120 Hz can create the image twice as fast as the one running on 60 Hz. Read more about this topic in our article – 144Hz vs 240Hz – Can You See The Difference?

Adaptive Sync

Everyone who has ever experienced screen tearing while playing a PC game, knows how annoying it can be. AMD’s FreeSync and Nvidia’s G-Sync technology is a great option for PC gamers to get a smooth experience free of stuttering, screen tearing, or V-Sync-like input lag. A lot of newer gaming monitors, even the cheap ones, already include either FreeSync or G-Sync.

AMD FreeSync – AMD is available for monitor manufacturers without licensing costs (or minimal), so you will find FreeSync technology in a wide range of gaming monitors, from cheap entry-level displays to premium Pro gaming hardware. The downside is that this technology is only compatible with AMD graphics cards.

Nvidia G-Sync – In contrast to AMD´s openness, Nvidia has stricter rules. G-Sync forces manufacturers to use proprietary hardware modules which leads to added costs, so the G-Sync monitors have usually higher prices. You won´t find gaming monitors with this technology paired with budget gaming PCs as a result. It is also worth mentioning that G-Sync works only with NVidia graphics cards.

Here is a nice discussion on this subject on Reddit.

Response Time

LCD monitors are updating individual pixels with new colors, and each of these updates takes time depending on what the change is. The response time means how long this change takes. The higher the monitor response time is, the more problems it could have displaying fast-moving objects.

In this case, lower is always better. TN panels can achieve a response time as low as 1 ms, whereas IPS panes can only get as low as 4 ms.

Monitor Response Times As Fast As Possible

Source: Techquickie

In summary, you need a 144HZ monitor with the lowest response time possible. Generally, if you’re not gaming, 60 Hz is fine. If you are gaming, you want the highest refresh rate and the lowest response time you can afford.

Panel Technology

Panel technologies have evolved over the last years, so take a look at each monitor before you make your choice.

Let’s have a look at the three most common types:

  • TN (twisted nematic)
  • IPS (in-plane switching)
  • VA (vertical alignment)

TN (twisted nematic) – This is one of the most common types of monitors today. TN panels are also the most affordable, so if you are looking at a monitor and it does not have in the description what kind of panel it is, it´s probably a TN panel. The low manufacturing costs and a higher response rate than VA and IPS panels make them really popular. The drawback is the color quality when viewed from different degrees away from the center of the screen.

IPS (in-plane switching) – Monitors with IPS panels are known for their consistency, improved viewing angles, and better color accuracy when you compare them to other LCD technologies. Overall, IPS panels give you better all-around visual quality, but unlike Twisted Nematic panels their response time is 4ms. For competitive gamers, TN panels with a 1ms response time are always preferred versus monitors with IPS.

VA (vertical alignment) – The biggest advantage of the VA panel is the ability to block light from the backlight when it isn´t needed. This results in a higher contrast ratio (2000:1 and 5000:1) and deeper blacks that are better than on other LCD technologies. Some gamers don’t like to use VA panels due to the ghosting effects during a game.

IPS vs TN Monitors

Source: The Tech Chap

Screen Size

Top-rated gaming monitors offer a screen size anywhere between 21 inches and 27 inches while providing a great balance of visual quality and viewing comfort. Put simply, the size of the monitor is up to you. Always keep in mind, that different resolutions work best on certain sizes of monitors due to their pixel density.

Best Size For Gaming Monitor

Minimum Requirements For A Good Gaming Monitor

We have prepared a short overview of the specs and features you should take into consideration. We separate them into three categories due to the gamer’s minimal requirements.

AVERAGE GAMER – In this category, we include gamers with a limited budget and mainstream PCs. For a good gaming experience without compromising the performance, we believe that a monitor should have these specs:

Screen Resolution: Full HD (1920 x 1080)
Min Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Max Input Lag Time: 30ms
Max Response Time: 8ms

COMPETITIVE GAMER – This category is for gamers who prioritize high performance, picture quality, resolution, and high contrast to have better details. Here are the requirements:

Screen Resolution: Full HD (1920×1080)
Adaptive Sync: AMD FreeSync or NVidia G-Sync
Min Refresh Rate: 120Hz
Max Input Lag Time: 20ms
Max Response Time: 5ms

PRO GAMER – Unlimited budget and focus on the best possible screen performance. This is a category of people who are competitive in their gaming and accept only the best hardware. The following requirements are:

Adaptive Sync: FreeSync or G-Sync
Min Refresh Rate: 144Hz
Max Response Time: 4ms
Max Input Lag Time: 15ms
More: Adjustable height, tilting, swiveling, plenty of video inputs

More Information

If you enjoyed this review of the best cheap 1080p 144Hz gaming monitors, you’ll probably like our other guides as well. Here are some popular articles about monitors from the Nechstar:

SOURCES

  1. 1080p, Wikipedia.org
  2. 2K resolution, Wikipedia.org
  3. 4K resolution, Wikipedia.org

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