Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Gaming Monitors Under $400 in 2025

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Why a Great Gaming Monitor Under $400 is a Game Changer

Honestly, pairing a powerful gaming rig or console with a subpar screen is like putting economy tires on a supercar – you’re just not getting the performance you paid for! A dedicated gaming monitor, even a budget monitor, makes a world of difference. It’s not just about prettier pictures; it’s about responsiveness, clarity, and reducing eye strain during those long sessions, fundamentally elevating your overall gaming performance.

Think about it: faster refresh rate means smoother motion, crucial for tracking fast-moving targets in shooters. Lower response time reduces ghosting and blur, making the action crisp.

Technologies like AMD FreeSync sync the monitor’s refresh rate to your graphics card’s output, eliminating that ugly screen tearing, providing a much more immersive gaming experience. Getting these features in the best budget gaming monitors under $400 is totally achievable in 2025.

Investing in one of the best cheap gaming monitors transforms how you interact with your games, making everything feel more immediate and look significantly better.

Whether you’re exploring vast open worlds or engaging in fast-paced competitive gaming, the right monitor for gaming unlocks the true potential of your hardware. It’s easily one of the most impactful upgrades you can make to your gaming setup, often providing more noticeable benefits than minor internal component upgrades.

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Decoding the Specs: What Really Matters for Budget Gaming?

Navigating the gaming monitor market can feel like alphabet soup: Hz, ms, IPS, VA, HDR, FreeSync… what actually matters when you’re looking for a cheap but capable screen?

Let’s break down the key monitor features for budget gaming under $400. You need to know what gives you the most bang for your buck to ensure a great gaming experience.

Understanding these core specs helps you choose wisely, ensuring your budget gaming monitor delivers where it counts most for your type of gaming. Don’t just chase the highest number; consider the balance of features that fits your needs and budget.

Resolution Rumble (1080p vs 1440p vs 4K)

• 1080p (1920 x 1080): Still the king for budget gaming, especially if you prioritize frame rates. It’s easier for mid-range graphics cards to drive high refresh rates (like 144Hz or more) at 1080p gaming. Great for competitive gaming where speed trumps absolute detail. Many excellent 1080p monitor options exist well under $400, often packed with high refresh rates and fast response times. The BenQ Mobiuz EX2510S is a solid example optimized for gaming at 1080p.

• 1440p (QHD / 2560 x 1440): Often considered the sweet spot. Noticeably sharper than 1080p, especially on a 27-inch monitor, offering a great balance between visual fidelity and performance demands. Finding a 1440p monitor with a high refresh rate (144Hz-180Hz) under $400 is increasingly common. The Pixio PXC277 Advanced and the HP Omen 32q are strong contenders in this space, offering excellent value. The ViewSonic Omni VX2728J-2K also hits this mark effectively.

• 4K (UHD / 3840 x 2160): The peak of sharpness, delivering incredible detail – fantastic for immersive single-player games and content creation. Driving 4K gaming smoothly requires serious GPU power, especially if you want high frame rates. While finding a high refresh rate 4K gaming monitor under $400 is tough (most are 60Hz), options like the Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q prove that entry-level 4K gaming is accessible, offering stunning 4K resolution visuals even if capped at 60Hz. The Samsung UR59C is another popular budget 4k monitor, often praised for its 32-inch 4K VA panel.

Refresh Rate Rhapsody (Hz)

This is how many times per second the gaming display updates the image. Higher numbers mean smoother motion – absolutely crucial for fast-paced games.

• 60Hz: Basic standard. Okay for slower games or if you’re on a very tight budget, common in entry-level 4K monitor options like the Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q.

• 144Hz/165Hz/180Hz: The sweet spot for most gamers under $400. Offers a massive improvement in smoothness over 60Hz, making gameplay feel much more responsive. You’ll find plenty of 1080p monitor and 1440p monitor options here, like the 144hz monitor ViewSonic VX1755 (portable) or the 165Hz BenQ Mobiuz EX2510S and HP Omen 32q, or even the 180Hz ViewSonic Omni VX2728J-2K. This refresh rate gaming level is great for competitive gaming and general enjoyment. The 144Hz refresh rate is a popular target.

• 200Hz+: Even smoother, often aimed at esports enthusiasts. Monitors like the 200Hz Sceptre 30-inch Curved or the 240Hz AOC C27G2Z push into this territory within the budget segment, typically at 1080p resolution (1920 x 1080). The Gigabyte M27Q X offers 240Hz at 1440p, sometimes dipping near this price point.

Response Time Reality (ms)

This measures how quickly pixels change color (usually Grey-to-Grey or MPRT). Lower is better, reducing motion blur and ghosting.

• 1ms (MPRT/GtG): Often marketed, but take it with a grain of salt. MPRT (Moving Picture Response Time) uses backlight strobing and can reduce brightness or cause flicker. GtG (Grey-to-Grey) is a more standard measure. Look for monitors consistently reviewed as having low effective response time without excessive overshoot (inverse ghosting). Many monitors like the Asus TUF Gaming models and AOC C27G2Z advertise 1ms gaming monitor speeds.

• ~5ms (GtG): Still perfectly fine for most gaming. The difference between 1ms and 5ms is often imperceptible to many users outside of highly competitive gaming. Focus on overall picture quality and smoothness (refresh rate) rather than obsessing over the absolute lowest claimed response time.

Panel Power Plays (IPS vs VA vs TN)

The panel type dictates viewing angle, color accuracy, contrast, and response times.

• IPS (In-Plane Switching): Best for color accuracy and wide viewing angle. Great for vibrant visuals and if you do creative work alongside gaming. Traditionally had slower response times than TN, but modern IPS gaming monitor models are much faster. Contrast can be lower than VA. Examples include the Gigabyte M27QA ICE and the IPS monitor based ViewSonic Omni VX2728J-2K.

• VA (Vertical Alignment): Offers the best contrast ratios, meaning deeper blacks and punchier images. Great for dark room gaming and cinematic experiences. Viewing angle and response times are typically between IPS and TN, though some faster VA panels exist. Often used in curved monitor designs like the Samsung UR59C (a 32-inch 4K VA panel) or the Sceptre 30-inch Curved. The Pixio PXC277 Advanced also uses a VA panel.

• TN (Twisted Nematic): Oldest tech, typically fastest response times and highest refresh rates historically, often favored by esports pros prioritizing speed above all else. Suffers from poor viewing angle and less vibrant colors compared to IPS and VA. Less common now as IPS and VA have caught up in speed, especially in the budget segment.

Sync Sensibility (AMD FreeSync vs NVIDIA G-Sync)

These technologies synchronize your graphics card’s frame output with your gaming monitor’s refresh rate, eliminating screen tearing and stuttering for a smoother gaming experience.

• AMD FreeSync: Open standard, widely available on budget gaming monitors, works primarily with AMD GPUs but often compatible with NVIDIA GPUs too (look for “G-Sync Compatible” certification or user reports). Most monitors under $400, like the Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q, LG 32UN500-W, AOC C27G2Z, BenQ Mobiuz EX2510S, and ViewSonic Omni VX2728J-2K, feature AMD FreeSync.

• NVIDIA G-Sync: Proprietary NVIDIA tech requiring a specific module in the monitor, usually adding cost. Offers excellent performance but less common in the true budget monitor space under $400. “G-Sync Compatible” monitors are essentially FreeSync displays tested and certified by NVIDIA to work well with their cards.

HDR Hopes (High Dynamic Range)

HDR expands contrast and color range for more lifelike images. On budget gaming monitors, HDR support is often basic.

• DisplayHDR 400: The most common entry-level VESA certification. Means the monitor can accept an HDR signal and reach 400 nits of peak brightness (sometimes). The actual HDR gaming impact is often minimal compared to higher-end displays; contrast improvements might be subtle, and color benefits vary. Don’t make HDR 400 a primary deciding factor in this price range, consider it a small bonus if available, like on the Gigabyte M27QA ICE. The best HDR experience usually requires much higher brightness and local dimming, features rarely found under $400. SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) SDR gaming often looks better on budget displays.

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Top Picks: The Best Gaming Monitors Under $400 Right Now (Spring 2025)

Alright, let’s get to the good stuff – the actual monitors! We’ve scoured reviews and specs to find some of the best gaming monitor options you can snag for under $400 in 2025.

Remember, prices fluctuate, so some monitor offers might require catching a sale, but these consistently represent great gaming value. These are some of the monitors we recommend based on current market availability and performance benchmarks.

Choosing the best budget option depends heavily on your priorities – resolution, refresh rate, panel type, or specific features.

We’ve included a mix here, highlighting what makes each gaming monitor stand out in the crowded budget gaming monitor market. These monitors we’ve tested (or reliable sources have) show strong performance for their price.

Best Overall Budget Gaming Monitor: Gigabyte M27QA ICE

• Why it rocks: This 27-inch monitor hits a fantastic sweet spot for under $300. You get a sharp QHD (2560 x 1440) resolution on an IPS panel, known for good colors and viewing angles. It boasts a speedy 180Hz refresh rate and DisplayHDR 400 certification. Critically, for an IPS gaming monitor at this price, it delivered surprisingly good contrast (measured over 1300:1) and excellent DCI-P3 color gamut coverage (95%) in testing. It even includes a KVM switch, a rare bonus for easily switching peripherals between two connected devices (like a gaming laptop and desktop).

• Considerations: Doesn’t have built-in speakers or flashy RGB, but those are fair trade-offs for the core gaming experience performance and value it offers. It’s a strong contender for the best all-around monitor for gaming in this budget bracket.

This great monitor from Gigabyte really exemplifies what’s possible in affordable gaming displays today. Its combination of a 1440p monitor resolution, high refresh rate, and quality IPS panel makes it incredibly versatile for both gaming and general use, solidifying its place as a top budget gaming choice.

Finding such a well-rounded gaming monitor with these specs and features under the $300 mark, let alone $400, is a testament to how competitive the gaming monitor market has become.

The Gigabyte M27QA ICE is a prime example of getting premium monitor features without needing to stretch your budget excessively.

Best Budget 1440p Gaming Monitor: Pixio PXC277 Advanced

• Why it rocks: If you want solid 1440p performance without breaking the bank, the Pixio PXC277 Advanced is a fantastic best bet. It’s a 27-inch monitor with a 165Hz refresh rate and a claimed 1ms response time (though real-world VA panel response is typically a bit slower). What makes it stand out is its VA panel, delivering excellent contrast and deep blacks, making games look punchy, especially in darker scenes. It’s well-calibrated out of the box and feels snappy enough for most gaming experience needs, offering incredible value.

• Considerations: As a VA panel, the response time might exhibit some minor ghosting in the fastest transitions compared to the best IPS or TN panels, but it’s generally well-controlled if you tune the overdrive settings. HDR performance is weak (HDR gaming isn’t its strong suit), but its SDR image quality is great for the price. Its design with slim bezels also looks more premium than its price tag suggests.

This monitor offers a compelling package for gamers wanting the visual upgrade to 1440p alongside a high refresh rate. The Pixio PXC277 Advanced proves that a great gaming screen with a VA panel can be both fast and affordable, making it a strong choice for an immersive gaming experience on a budget.

Many gamers appreciate the deep blacks that VA panel technology provides, especially for atmospheric single-player titles or watching movies. This gaming monitor delivers that contrast advantage alongside the smoothness of a 144hz refresh rate (or higher, at 165Hz), making it a very appealing budget gaming option.

Best Value 4K Gaming Monitor (Entry-Level): Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q

• Why it rocks: Want that crisp 4K resolution detail without spending a fortune? The Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q is frequently cited as the best budget 4K gaming monitor. For under $300 usually, you get a 28-inch 4K panel (IPS panel type) with excellent color accuracy for SDR gaming and support for AMD FreeSync. While it’s capped at a 60Hz refresh rate, the sheer detail of 4K gaming is impressive for cinematic games where visual fidelity trumps raw speed.

• Considerations: The 60Hz refresh rate and slower response time mean it’s not ideal for highly competitive gaming. HDR performance is basic. However, if your priority is seeing games in stunning 4K resolution detail on a budget, and you have a GPU that can handle it reasonably well at 60fps, this monitor delivers. It’s an excellent entry point into the world of 4K gaming monitors.

This Asus TUF Gaming model makes 4K gaming accessible, offering that pixel-dense 4K display experience beloved for strategy games, RPGs, and visual showcases. It’s a solid monitor for gaming if your focus is resolution and image quality over ultimate speed.

Even at 60Hz, the leap in clarity from 1080p or 1440p to 4K resolution is significant, making worlds feel more detailed and textures sharper. This budget 4K monitor provides that visual feast without demanding a high-end price tag, solidifying its place among the best cheap gaming monitors for resolution enthusiasts.

Best Budget High Refresh Rate Monitor (1080p): BenQ Mobiuz EX2510S

• Why it rocks: If 1080p gaming at high frame rates is your goal, the BenQ Mobiuz EX2510S is a top contender. This 24-inch monitor (often preferred by esports players) packs a 165Hz refresh rate, low input lag, and AMD FreeSync Premium. It delivers exceptional gaming experience performance for its price, focusing purely on smooth, responsive gameplay for competitive gaming and fast-paced action titles.

• Considerations: Its color range isn’t the best, making it less ideal for content consumption or visually rich cinematic games compared to some IPS alternatives. It also lacks USB ports. But if you prioritize raw 1080p gaming speed and responsiveness on a cheap monitor, this BenQ monitor delivers the essentials extremely well.

This gaming monitor is built for speed, prioritizing the features that matter most for fast gaming at 1080p. The combination of a high refresh rate (144Hz surpassed at 165Hz) and low input lag makes it a favorite budget gaming choice for FPS and esports titles.

For many gamers, especially those playing competitive shooters, hitting high frame rates consistently at 1920 x 1080 is more important than pushing higher resolutions.

This monitor for gaming caters perfectly to that need, providing a smooth and tear-free gaming experience thanks to its 144Hz refresh rate (and higher) and AMD FreeSync.

Honorable Mention – Best Feature Set Under $400 (Often Near): ViewSonic Omni VX2728J-2K

• Why it rocks: Often dipping below or sitting right around the $300 mark, this ViewSonic monitor packs a serious punch. It’s a 27-inch monitor with QHD (2560 x 1440) resolution, a very fast 180Hz refresh rate, and a rapid 0.5ms (response time MPRT). It uses an IPS panel for good colors and viewing angle, supports AMD FreeSync Premium, and boasts surprisingly good color accuracy for its price point. It’s lightweight and simply gets the job done for a great gaming session.

• Considerations: The tripod stand is a bit flimsy, it lacks USB ports, and like most budget displays, its HDR capabilities are limited (DisplayHDR 400 level at best). However, focusing purely on the core gaming monitor specs – resolution, refresh rate, response time, panel type – it offers tremendous value, making it one of the best budget gaming monitors available when found under $400.

This monitor might be the perfect balance for many users looking for a cheap but highly capable 1440p monitor. Its high refresh rate and fast response time combined with an IPS panel make it suitable for a wide range of games, from fast-paced action to visually rich adventures.

The ViewSonic Omni VX2728J-2K demonstrates how features previously considered premium, like a 180Hz refresh rate on a QHD IPS gaming monitor, are becoming accessible within the budget gaming segment.

It’s a testament to the advancements in the gaming monitor market.

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4K Gaming on a Budget: Is it Possible Under $400?

The allure of 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels) is undeniable. Four times the pixels of 1080p means incredibly sharp images, stunning detail in textures, and just a generally more premium visual gaming experience.

So, can you actually get a decent 4K gaming monitor without needing to stretch your budget past $400? The answer in 2025 is a qualified yes, but with important caveats.

Yes, you can find 4K monitor options under $400. We already highlighted the Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q as a prime example of a budget 4K monitor.

You might also find deals on models like the LG 32UN500-W (a 32-inch 4K model, often with a VA panel) or the Samsung UR59C (a popular 32-inch 4K curved monitor).

These monitors deliver that coveted 4K resolution on a relatively cheap monitor budget. However, the main trade-off is almost always the refresh rate. Most 4K gaming monitors in this price bracket are limited to 60Hz.

This means while your games will look incredibly sharp, motion won’t be as fluid as on a high refresh rate display (like a 144Hz monitor). For slower-paced, visually rich games – think stunning open-world RPGs, strategy titles, or simulation games – a 60Hz 4K display can provide an amazing, immersive gaming experience.

The detail level can genuinely transform how you perceive game worlds. It’s also fantastic for productivity (monitor for work) and watching 4K movies. But, if you primarily play fast-paced shooters or competitive gaming titles where high frame rates and ultra-smooth motion are paramount, a 60Hz 4K gaming monitor might feel sluggish compared to a 144Hz+ 1080p monitor or 1440p monitor.

You also need a beefy graphics card (often beyond budget constraints itself) to actually run demanding games smoothly at native 4K gaming settings.

While technologies like DLSS or FSR can help, achieving high frames at 4K resolution remains challenging. So, the best 4K gaming monitor under $400 is often the best 4k gaming option if resolution is your absolute top priority and you’re okay with a 60Hz refresh rate.

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High Refresh Rate Heroes: Smoothness Without the Premium Price Tag

Let’s talk about speed! While 4K offers incredible detail, high refresh rate monitors offer incredible smoothness. Measured in Hertz (Hz), the refresh rate tells you how many times per second the gaming display redraws the image.

The long-time standard was 60Hz, but the gaming monitor market has rapidly pushed beyond this, even in the budget gaming segment. Why does it matter so much for the gaming experience?

Imagine watching a flipbook. A flipbook with 60 pages flipped per second looks okay, but one with 144 pages flipped per second looks significantly smoother, clearer, and more lifelike.

That’s essentially what a high refresh rate monitor does. Moving from 60Hz to 144Hz (or higher, like 165Hz, 180Hz, even 240Hz found on some budget gaming monitors) makes motion on screen dramatically less blurry and more fluid.

In games, this translates to easier target tracking, quicker reaction times because you’re seeing information sooner, and a generally more responsive, immersive gaming experience. It’s particularly noticeable in first-person shooters, racing games, and anything with fast camera movement. It’s great for competitive gaming for a reason.

The fantastic news is that achieving 144Hz refresh rate or higher is very common under $400, especially at 1080p (1920 x 1080) and increasingly at 1440p (2560 x 1440).

Monitors like the BenQ Mobiuz EX2510S (165Hz 1080p), the Gigabyte M27QA ICE (180Hz 1440p), the ViewSonic Omni VX2728J-2K (180Hz 1440p), and the Pixio PXC277 Advanced (165Hz 1440p) are perfect examples. You get that buttery-smooth gameplay without the premium price tag once associated with high refresh rate gaming.

Pair this with AMD FreeSync (or NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility) to eliminate screen tearing, and you have a recipe for seriously great gaming.

Even if your GPU can’t consistently push 144+ frames per second, having the higher refresh ceiling still results in smoother perceived motion compared to being locked at 60Hz.

For many gamers, especially those playing a mix of genres, a 1440p monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate (or higher) represents the best budget gaming sweet spot right now, offering a fantastic balance of visual clarity and fluid motion.

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Curved vs. Flat vs. Ultrawide: Which Budget Monitor Suits Your Style?

Beyond resolution and refresh rate, the physical shape of your gaming monitor can also impact your gaming experience. In the under $400 budget monitor category, you’ll encounter flat screens, curved monitor options, and even some ultrawide monitor choices. Which one is right for you?

Curved Monitors: Immersion Amplified?

Curved gaming monitor models aim to increase immersion by slightly wrapping the screen around your field of vision, making the edges feel closer and potentially reducing distortion at the periphery. This can create a more enveloping, immersive gaming experience, especially on larger screens (32-inch monitor or ultrawides).

Many monitors with VA panel technology adopt a curve, partly because VA viewing angles aren’t as wide as IPS panel tech, and the curve helps keep more of the screen oriented directly towards you.

The Samsung UR59C (32-inch 4K curved monitor) and the Pixio PXC277 Advanced (27-inch 1440p curved) are examples we’ve mentioned.

• Pros: Potential for enhanced immersion, can feel more natural for your eyes on larger screens, often uses high-contrast VA panel tech.

• Cons: Curves can sometimes distort straight lines (less ideal for design work/ monitor for work), the effect is less pronounced on smaller screens (like a 24-inch monitor), might not be ideal if you often have people watching over your shoulder due to optimal viewing angle being centered. Finding a good IPS gaming monitor with a curve under $400 is less common than VA.

Flat Monitors: The Tried and True Standard

The classic flat screen remains the most common type of gaming monitor, and for good reason. They are versatile, excellent for both gaming and productivity tasks (monitor for work), don’t introduce any geometric distortion, and are easy to wall-mount using VESA standards.

You’ll find a huge variety of flat budget gaming monitors under $400 across all resolutions (1080p monitor, 1440p monitor, even entry-level 4K monitor options) and panel types (IPS panel, VA panel). Models like the Gigabyte M27QA ICE, Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q, and BenQ Mobiuz EX2510S fall into this category.

• Pros: Versatile for all tasks, no distortion, wide availability of specs and panel types (IPS gaming monitor, VA), generally easier for multi-monitor setups, typically the best budget option for a given spec set.

• Cons: Might feel less immersive than a comparable curved screen, especially on larger displays.

Ultrawide Monitors: Expanding Your Horizons

Ultrawide monitor options offer a wider aspect ratio (typically 21:9 or 32:9 compared to the standard 16:9), providing significantly more horizontal screen real estate.

This is fantastic for immersive gaming in titles that support it, as it expands your peripheral vision within the game world. It’s also brilliant for productivity, allowing you to comfortably view multiple windows side-by-side. Finding the best budget ultrawide under $400 often involves choosing between resolution and refresh rate.

Many affordable ultrawides might feature a 2560×1080 resolution (essentially a wider 1080p) to keep costs down while offering a decent refresh rate (e.g., 100Hz-144Hz).

The Sceptre 30-inch Curved Ultrawide (C305B-200UN) is a popular example often found under $300, offering 2560×1080 resolution at a speedy 200Hz refresh rate on a VA panel. Pushing to 3440×1440 (ultrawide QHD) usually requires you to stretch your budget or accept a lower refresh rate.

• Pros: Increased immersion in supported games, excellent for multitasking productivity, can replace dual-monitor setups.

• Cons: Requires more GPU power than 16:9 equivalents, not all games support ultrawide aspect ratios correctly (may see black bars), often uses VA panel tech in budget models (potential for ghosting), high-resolution/high-refresh rate options typically exceed $400. Finding a budget IPS monitor ultrawide is harder.

Ultimately, the choice between flat, curved, and ultrawide depends on your primary use case and personal preference. For pure competitive edge, flat might be best. For immersion, curved and ultrawide are strong contenders. For versatility, flat often wins. Consider trying them out in person if possible before you buy a gaming monitor.

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Beyond the Pixels: Connectivity, Ergonomics, and Extra Features

While the core specs like resolution, refresh rate, and response time are paramount, several other monitor features contribute to the overall gaming quality and usability of your budget gaming monitor. Don’t overlook these when making your choice!

Getting Connected (Ports Matter!)

Check the available ports! Most modern gaming monitors under $400 will include:

• HDMI: Look for HDMI 2.0 (supports 1440p up to 144Hz, 4K at 60Hz). HDMI 2.1 (needed for 4K at 120Hz, primarily for console gaming on PS5/Xbox Series X) is rare under $400. Most monitors have multiple HDMI ports.

• DisplayPort: Usually DisplayPort 1.4 is standard. This is often required to achieve the highest refresh rate capabilities of the monitor, especially at 1440p and above. Always use DisplayPort for your primary PC connection if possible.

• USB Hub: Some monitors include USB ports (Type-A or even Type-C) acting as a hub. This is convenient for connecting peripherals like keyboards, mice, or webcams directly to the monitor. A USB-C port might also support video input and power delivery for a gaming laptop.

• Headphone Jack: Most gaming monitors include a 3.5mm audio output jack, useful for connecting headphones or external speakers directly to the monitor, especially if you’re using HDMI audio.

Ensure the ports match your devices (PC graphics card, console gaming systems, gaming laptop) and allow you to run the monitor at its advertised specs.

Comfort is Key (Ergonomics & Stands)

Spending hours gaming means ergonomics are crucial. A good stand can make a big difference to your comfort and viewing angle. Look for:

• Tilt: Almost all monitors offer tilt adjustment.

• Height Adjustment: Allows you to position the screen at the optimal eye level. Surprisingly often omitted on budget monitor options, but highly valuable.

• Swivel: Lets you turn the screen left or right without moving the base.

• Pivot: Allows rotation into portrait mode (useful for coding, reading, or specific multi-monitor setups).

• VESA Compatibility: Standard mounting holes (e.g., 100x100mm) on the back allow you to use third-party monitor arms or wall mounts for ultimate flexibility and better ergonomics than stock stands often provide. Most gaming monitors are VESA compatible.

Even if a cheap monitor has a basic stand, VESA compatibility means you can always upgrade later with a monitor arm – a worthwhile investment for any gaming setup.

The Little Things (Build Quality, Speakers, Extras)

• Build Quality: While you can’t expect premium materials on budget gaming monitors, look for reasonably sturdy stands, minimal wobble, and thin bezels for a modern look and better multi-monitor arrangements. Reviews often comment on build quality.

• Built-in Speakers: Many monitors include speakers, but they are usually very basic and underpowered. Don’t rely on them for an immersive gaming experience; headphones or dedicated external speakers are almost always better.

• Gaming Overlays: Some monitors offer built-in features like on-screen crosshairs, timers, or FPS counters. These can be handy for certain games but aren’t essential.

• KVM Switch: As seen on the Gigabyte M27QA ICE, this allows you to control two connected devices (e.g., desktop and gaming laptop) with one set of keyboard/mouse plugged into the monitor – a great productivity bonus.

• Panel Uniformity & Backlight Bleed: Issues like inconsistent brightness across the screen or light leaking from the edges (especially on dark scenes) can occur on any monitor, but might be slightly more common on budget monitor models due to less stringent quality control. Check reviews for comments on these aspects for specific monitors we recommend.

Choosing the best gaming monitor under $400 in 2025 involves balancing these core specs and extra features against your budget and primary needs.

Whether you prioritize the stunning detail of a 4K display, the fluid motion of a 144Hz refresh rate, the immersive feel of a curved gaming monitor, or the versatility of a feature-packed IPS gaming monitor, there are excellent options available.

This guide should equip you to navigate the budget gaming monitor market and find the best budget gaming screen that will elevate your gaming experience without requiring you to empty your wallet. Happy gaming!