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Best Gaming Monitor Under $500 to Buy of 2024

It's no secret that for many people shopping online, anything that's over 500 dollars may seem a bit too expensive, and we can understand that entirely. At the same time, we completely understand that every person's needs and wants are different. There may be some people who prefer a large screen or a high resolution, perhaps they want gaming features, built in speakers, or a curved screen. We have taken all of that into account (and more) and have compiled what we consider to be the most comprehensive list of the best gaming monitors under $500 that you can find. As we proceed through the following article, we will be scouring the web in order to find only the best gaming monitors under $500, comparing price, performance, value, and aesthetics as we do so.


Showing  11 - 16  in  16 results
11
  • SCORE
    9.0
    AI Score

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is the capacity of a computer or a robot controlled by a computer to do assignments that are as a rule done by people since they require human insights and acumen. In fact, there are no AIs which can perform the wide variety of tasks an ordinary human can do, some AIs can still match humans in specific tasks.
    AI applications include expert systems, natural language processing (NLP), and speech recognition and machine vision.

  • Brand
    Acer
12
  • SCORE
    9.0
    AI Score

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is the capacity of a computer or a robot controlled by a computer to do assignments that are as a rule done by people since they require human insights and acumen. In fact, there are no AIs which can perform the wide variety of tasks an ordinary human can do, some AIs can still match humans in specific tasks.
    AI applications include expert systems, natural language processing (NLP), and speech recognition and machine vision.

  • Brand
    LG
13
  • SCORE
    9.6
    AI Score

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is the capacity of a computer or a robot controlled by a computer to do assignments that are as a rule done by people since they require human insights and acumen. In fact, there are no AIs which can perform the wide variety of tasks an ordinary human can do, some AIs can still match humans in specific tasks.
    AI applications include expert systems, natural language processing (NLP), and speech recognition and machine vision.

  • Brand
    BenQ
14
  • SCORE
    9.2
    AI Score

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is the capacity of a computer or a robot controlled by a computer to do assignments that are as a rule done by people since they require human insights and acumen. In fact, there are no AIs which can perform the wide variety of tasks an ordinary human can do, some AIs can still match humans in specific tasks.
    AI applications include expert systems, natural language processing (NLP), and speech recognition and machine vision.

  • Brand
    ASUS
15
  • SCORE
    9.0
    AI Score

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is the capacity of a computer or a robot controlled by a computer to do assignments that are as a rule done by people since they require human insights and acumen. In fact, there are no AIs which can perform the wide variety of tasks an ordinary human can do, some AIs can still match humans in specific tasks.
    AI applications include expert systems, natural language processing (NLP), and speech recognition and machine vision.

  • Brand
    ASUS
16
  • SCORE
    8.2
    AI Score

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is the capacity of a computer or a robot controlled by a computer to do assignments that are as a rule done by people since they require human insights and acumen. In fact, there are no AIs which can perform the wide variety of tasks an ordinary human can do, some AIs can still match humans in specific tasks.
    AI applications include expert systems, natural language processing (NLP), and speech recognition and machine vision.

  • Brand
    LG

Last update on 2024-03-19 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

4.7
7 ratings

Overviews

Gaming monitor is an indispensable product in your PC gaming kit. There are many price ranges of monitors that you can choose from in the market. However, with prices in the $500 range, you get the best quality options. To help you make a better decision, Ocster has compiled this list of the best gaming monitor under 500.


Buying Guides

1. Screen size & resolution

I'm lumping resolution and screen size together because they're different from each other. Depending upon your desk, your decision upon screen size may already be made, but I would guess it will be between 24-32". You will have a range as for the resolution.

Screen size will probably dictate your resolution. If you need/want something smaller, a 24" Full HD monitor will be great. Mid-range and probably best for most people is a 27" monitor, 2560 x 1440, also known as 1440p or QHD. Then on the top end is 32" with 4K resolution.

Obviously, there are other options available, such as a 27" 4K monitor and a 32" QHD monitor, and things that fall outside the size and resolution. resolution and aspect ratio, but we're trying to keep it simple.

For gaming, the 27" 1440p is the best for many reasons, even compared to the theoretical improvements that come with larger sizes and higher resolutions. One of the best gaming monitors under 500 with a 27” screen is ViewSonic ELITE XG270QC Pro Gaming Monitor.

2. Refresh rate & response time

Ah, now the real gaming specs. When you're looking for a gaming monitor, you'll absolutely want to check out the refresh rate, measured in hertz (Hz). This reflects the number of times the monitor will refresh the display per second. Higher numbers are better. Basic monitors and TVs hit around 30 Hz, some up to 60 Hz. 60 Hz is recommended as the minimum for gaming.

Now, 60 Hz is considered the bare minimum, but there are many 144 Hz monitors on the market today. This is highly recommended for serious gaming. You probably know the difference between 60 and 144 Hz, and this difference can help you improve your own response times.

There are even 240 Hz monitors if you want to be on top of the line, though it remains to be seen whether it will benefit casual gamers. Acer Nitro XV340CKP Gaming Monitor is our top pick for the best refresh rate monitor.

3. Variable refresh rate

One option is VSync, simply because it tells the monitor to wait the entire next frame before converting. Since it can cause lag, it is very harmful for gaming.

AMD and NVIDIA have both developed adaptive sync or variable refresh rate solutions, to help monitors maintain smooth playback even when the graphics card is offering non-standard frame rates. AMD has FreeSync while NVIDIA has G-Sync. Both do a great job of eliminating screen tearing but require compatible hardware to do so.

AMD's FreeSync is more widely available and cheaper to implement, meaning you'll often find it on more affordable monitors. NVIDIA's G-Sync, on the other hand, requires certification and goes through quality control to ensure performance, and often results in high-end displays. You will probably have to choose based on your graphics card. Buy a FreeSync monitor in case you have an AMD card. If you have NVIDIA, get G-Sync.

4. Panel type

Honestly, some people will put a lot of emphasis on the panel type, but as long as you get to the other specs you want/need, you shouldn't care too much. Here is the summary.

  • IPS (In-Plane Switching) panels typically offer good color reproduction with stable contrast and fast response times but can be expensive for advanced features. One example is ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ HDR Monitor.
  • TN (Twisted Nematic) panels are better priced for faster response times and refresh rates but aren't as good when it comes to color rendering and viewing angles.
  • VA (Vertical Alignment) panels offer excellent contrast, but often lose out on important gaming performance compared to TN and IPS and are not highly recommended. Gigabyte G34WQC Gaming Monitor is the best VA gaming monitor under 500.

5. HDR of gaming monitor

Many people think that more resolution is the best move for better quality. I would argue that High Dynamic Range, or HDR, will make a bigger difference to your image quality than a higher resolution. The more striking and vivid colors available in HDR images represent a huge step up from older display systems. If you haven't seen the HDR display, you're really missing out.


Best gaming monitor under 500 reviews

1. ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ HDR Monitor

ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ HDR Monitor caught our attention for the first time. Firstly, because its key specifications make it a candidate on paper in terms of size, sharpness and speed to be a great gaming monitor. However, what sets it apart from other 27-inch 1440p gaming monitors is a new feature called ELMB-Sync (Extreme Low Motion Blur-Sync).

Often, variable refresh rate tables force you to choose between reducing motion blur (e.g. Ultra Low Motion Blur or ULMB on G-Sync monitors), whereby the backlight is hit by frequency fixed (consistent with a fixed refresh rate) to reduce motion blur and adaptive sync (Nvidia G-Sync or AMD FreeSync) where the backlight stays on and the refresh rate can change.

However, what ELMB-Sync promises is essentially a combination of the two. The message is that with ELMB-Sync enabled, gamers can enjoy both the smooth, tear-free visuals of adaptive sync as well as the sharp and blur-free motion of backlighting. As we said, this best gaming monitor under 500 caught our attention and now we can see if it lives up to its promise.

The panel here is IPS type, so viewing angles should be better than what you get with the TN-based model. As it happens, Asus also produces a TN variant of ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ HDR Monitor for a slightly lower price.

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ HDR Monitor is marketed as having a G-Sync Compatible certification from Nvidia, but these days that means nothing more than to say that the monitor has an active implementation of adaptive sync. The display's variable refresh rate is made possible by adaptive sync supported on both HDMI and DisplayPort inputs, for a range of 48-144Hz or 48-165Hz, respectively.

2. Acer Nitro XV340CKP QHD Gaming Monitor

The Acer Nitro XV340CKP Gaming Monitor is another 34″ 3440×1440 144Hz ultra-wide gaming monitor. However, unlike most models with this specification, this model has a flat screen and is affordable for an IPS panel! Based upon a 34-inch 3440×1440 IPS panel, the monitor delivers a rich pixel density of ~110 PPI (pixels per inch), accurate colors and wide 178° viewing angles.

Such a high pixel density allows for plenty of screen space with details and sharp text without any scaling needed. The display covers the standard sRGB color space (99% of the sRGB gamut), and thanks to its IPS panel, colors are accurate and consistent across the entire screen; 8-bit color depth supported without dithering (true 8-bit color).

The wide color gamut is not supported as with some other super brights in this price range which will result in more vibrant and saturated colors, but this way you will get more accurate and realistic colors.

The input lag of the Acer Nitro XV340CKP Gaming Monitor is only about ~4ms, creating an imperceptible delay between your actions and the results on the screen. The specified GtG response time rate is also 4ms, but this refers to the fastest possible pixel transition from one gray to another, it's not the pixel response time rate medium. So some traces are visible behind fast moving objects, but unless you're a really hardcore/competitive FPS gamer, that shouldn't be a problem. If that's the case, you'll get a faster 1080p 240Hz display anyway.

The Acer Nitro XV340CKP Gaming Monitor features a slim design including 150mm height adjustment, 360° rotation, -5° tilt / 35° and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility. The screen has a matte anti-glare coating that eliminates reflections without making the image grainy.

3. Gigabyte G34WQC Ultra-Wide Curved Gaming Monitor

There are quite a few ultra-wide gaming monitors that use Samsung's 34-inch 3440 × 1440 144Hz curved VA panels. However, Gigabyte G34WQC Ultra-Wide Curved Gaming Monitor offers a great feature set at an affordable price, which helps it stand out from the crowd.

This best gaming monitor under 500 is a 34-inch ultra-wide gaming monitor with a high screen resolution of 3440 × 1440 UQWHD. This results in a pixel density of ~110 PPI (pixels per inch). In other words, you'll have plenty of screen space while details and text are crisp and clear without any scaling needed! For most people, that's the ideal pixel-to-inch ratio.

The ultra-wide format further improves immersion by increasing your FOV (field of view) in compatible video games, giving you more horizontal screen space (great for video editing and working yield) and rendering movies close to their original aspect ratio.

Giving you a significantly smoother gaming experience, Gigabyte G34WQC Gaming Monitor has a maximum refresh rate of 144Hz. It also supports AMD FreeSync with a range of 48-144 VRR (variable refresh rate) for tear-free gaming up to 144FPS.

Gigabyte G34WQC Gaming Monitor's OSD (On-Screen Display) menu is well organized and easy to use thanks to the directional joystick located at the rear of the monitor. Notable gaming features include Black Equalizer (improves visibility in darker scenes by varying the gamma curvature) and Color Vibration (adjusts color saturation). You'll also find plenty of pre-calibrated image presets (FPS, RTS/RPG, Reader, sRGB, and three Custom modes).

4. ViewSonic ELITE XG270QC Pro Gaming Monitor

The ViewSonic ELITE XG270QC Pro Gaming Monitor is one of the best gaming monitors in the sub-$500 category with a few flaws. It has high brightness and good HDR contrast and its gaming performance is on par with the best. For an HDR display to be successful, it needs to have a few minimums.

The VA panel is a great start as it offers high native contrast, which is great for both SDR and HDR content. The screen also needs a large color gamut, and high brightness is also a factor. We are therefore interested in monitors that meet the VESA DisplayHDR 400 standard.

The ViewSonic ELITE XG270QC Pro Gaming Monitor checks all those boxes and more. Not only is it DisplayHDR 400 certified, but it's also designed for high brightness (and you'll see it surpass that in our testing). The curved VA panel, running at QHD resolution, features a high native contrast ratio of 3,000:1. It also packs gaming credits with a 165 Hz refresh rate and FreeSync.

HDR works with both DisplayPort Adaptive Sync technology and two HDMI 2.0 inputs that support FreeSync up to 165Hz with HDR. Other gaming features include ViewSonic's Elite-branded RGB lighting that provides amazing LED lighting effects on the back of your console and across your screen. It also includes PureXP blur reduction, if you prefer that to Adaptive Sync.

ViewSonic has finely tuned its dynamic contrast feature. Of course, this monitor doesn't match the best FALD monitor we've ever played, but it's less far from that experience than you might think. With HDR supported, there's no problem running at 165 Hz with both FreeSync and G-Sync (unofficial). The ViewSonic ELITE XG270QC Pro Gaming Monitor is fully capable of interfacing with any platform.

5. Lenovo G34w-10 WQHD Curved Gaming Monitor

Gaming becomes more immersive and intense with the Lenovo G34w-10 WQHD Curved Gaming Monitor. This ultra-wide 34-inch monitor features a 21:9 aspect ratio and 3440 x 1440 resolution for stunning visuals. The WQHD curved panel draws you in and blends perfectly with your gaming gear. Perfect for competitive gamers who want smoother gameplay, without screen tearing and input lag, the 144Hz refresh rate combines with AMD Radeon FreeSync technology.

And low blue light certification lets you stay entertained for hours without hurting or straining your eyes. This curved WLED gaming monitor boasts 1500R curvature for a truly immersive experience. HDMI and DisplayPort 1.4 ports provide easy connectivity. The stand has a tilt angle of -5° to 22° and a lifting range of 130 mm, plus a compatible VESA mount. This high-performance gaming monitor is aesthetically crafted and aims to give you an incomparable gaming experience. Enjoy the games the way they are played.

Exciting games need a powerful monitor to keep up. The curved display of this best gaming monitor under 500 has an ultra-wide 21:9 aspect ratio with a total resolution of 3440 x 1440 pixels that covers your entire peripherals, providing more viewing space when compared to monitors. The 16:9 figure has similar dimensions.

The Lenovo G34w-10 WQHD Curved Gaming Monitor is equipped with AMD Radeon FreeSync technology that reduces screen tearing and stuttering — your games are rendered smoothly. This monitor also has a high 144 Hz refresh rate, which minimizes motion blur.

This flicker-free and Low Blue light certified monitor helps protect your eyes so you can play worry-free. Your back and neck can also be eased as the Lenovo G34w-10 Gaming Monitor comes with a stand that can be raised and tilted to give you perfect posture and a clear view.


FAQs

1. What cable do I need for 144Hz gaming?

That really depends on the monitor you use and how much bandwidth you use. That being said, here are the limitations of some popular cables and the resolution they can output at 144Hz. For those looking to output 1080p content at 144Hz, users will need a Dual-link DVI, DisplayPort or HDMI 1.4 cable (or better). That being said, be aware that some custom displays are locked at 60/120Hz when using HDMI 1.4.

For anyone looking to achieve 1440p content at 144Hz, you'll need at least an HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.2 cable. If you're looking for a 4K experience at 144Hz, HDMI 2.1 or DisplayPort 1.4 (with DSC 1.2) are the basic requirements.

2. How do I optimize my monitor for gaming?

Nine times out of ten, you won't need to optimize your screen anymore, it will be reserved as soon as it appears. That being said, we've had cases where the display wasn't set to the highest refresh rate. Just check your Windows display settings to see if the refresh rate is set to maximum. Other than that, the only thing to do is to set your contrast, brightness, and color preferences in the monitor's control panel.

3. Is there a performance difference between flat and curved monitors?

If you're willing to shell out the right amount, you can get a curved gaming monitor with similar specs, if not a suitable flat gaming monitor. That being said, most of the time, curved monitors are always a bit lacking compared to their flat counterparts - losing out on refresh rates and response times.

4. Is IPS good for gaming?

IPS (such as ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ HDR Monitor) is therefore the most homogenous LCD technology. In a nutshell, IPS gaming monitors are not only viable, but they are now highly recommended. This technology has overcome the limitations of the past and now offers the advantage of great color and viewing angles without the need for wires, unless you factor in HDMI or DisplayPort cables.

5. How does the contrast ratio make a difference in gaming?

Contrast ratio means the difference between the darkest and brightest color values ​​that the screen can project. That's the difference between the white and black values, but since all monitors use a backlight when black is in fact, the gray is very dark because black by definition is devoid of light.


Final Thoughts

Along with a budget of around $500, Ocster believes you have plenty of choices in the market. However, we need to research and evaluate thoroughly to get the best options. That's why we've created these top 5 gaming monitors, hoping to help you find the best gaming monitors under $500 for you.

Linda Nguyen
Linda Nguyen
Linda Nguyen is known as a professional author with over 10 years of experience developing and producing original content for a variety of publications. He has a passion for technology and is a true gamer. He always spends a lot of time in researching about technology products, especially the latest technology on television, computers, components, and peripherals.... Linda's job is insightful, personable, knowledgeable as well as engaging