Best Gaming Monitors for Under $600: Top Picks for Every Gamer
Best Gaming Monitors for Under $600
When it comes to gaming, having the right monitor can make all the difference. Whether you’re into fast-paced FPS games, strategic RTS games, or open-world RPGs, the quality of your display will significantly affect your experience. While premium gaming monitors can cost over $1000, there are still several excellent options under $600 that offer fantastic performance. From fast refresh rates to stunning color accuracy, here’s a list of the best gaming monitors you can get for under $600.
1. Samsung Odyssey G7 (27-inch)
Price: Around $550
Resolution: 2560×1440 (QHD)
Refresh Rate: 240Hz
Panel Type: VA (Vertical Alignment)
Response Time: 1ms
The Samsung Odyssey G7 has quickly become a favorite among competitive gamers due to its ultra-fast refresh rate and impressive 1ms response time. The 27-inch curved display (1000R curve) offers a truly immersive experience, especially in fast-paced games. With a resolution of 2560×1440 (QHD), the monitor strikes a perfect balance between 1080p and 4K resolution.
One of the standout features of the Odyssey G7 is its 240Hz refresh rate, which ensures buttery smooth gameplay, making it ideal for gamers who value performance over sheer resolution. The VA panel provides excellent contrast ratios, resulting in deeper blacks and vibrant colors, making the visuals more immersive.
2. LG UltraGear 27GN950-B (27-inch)
Price: Around $500
Resolution: 3840×2160 (4K)
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
Panel Type: IPS
Response Time: 1ms
For those who want to step into 4K gaming without breaking the bank, the LG UltraGear 27GN950-B is a top contender. This 27-inch monitor features an IPS panel that delivers exceptional color accuracy and wide viewing angles. It boasts a 4K resolution (3840×2160), which makes it an excellent choice for gamers who want ultra-sharp details in visually rich games.
Although the refresh rate is “only” 144Hz compared to some high-end models, it’s still perfect for most gaming needs, especially in genres like strategy, RPGs, and action games. The monitor also supports NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, ensuring smooth performance without screen tearing or stuttering.
3. Acer Predator XB273K (27-inch)
Price: Around $600
Resolution: 3840×2160 (4K)
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
Panel Type: IPS
Response Time: 4ms
If you’re aiming for high-quality 4K gaming but don’t want to spend more than $600, the Acer Predator XB273K is a solid option. This 27-inch display offers 4K resolution, and like the LG UltraGear, it features an IPS panel for vivid colors and excellent viewing angles.
With a refresh rate of 144Hz and a 1ms response time, it’s perfect for both competitive and casual gamers. The Predator XB273K supports NVIDIA G-Sync for smoother gameplay, particularly when paired with an NVIDIA GPU. It also comes with HDR support, which adds an extra layer of depth and realism to the visuals, especially when playing supported games.
4. Gigabyte G32QC (32-inch)
Price: Around $300
Resolution: 2560×1440 (QHD)
Refresh Rate: 165Hz
Panel Type: VA
Response Time: 1ms
For gamers who prefer a larger screen, the Gigabyte G32QC is a fantastic budget-friendly option. This 32-inch curved monitor offers a 2560×1440 resolution with a 165Hz refresh rate, providing a competitive edge in fast-paced games. The VA panel gives great contrast ratios, with deeper blacks and brighter whites, ensuring more vivid gameplay.
With a 1ms response time, the monitor handles motion and action sequences with ease, making it perfect for titles like racing games, shooters, and sports games. While not as high-end as some other monitors on this list, the Gigabyte G32QC offers excellent value for its size and performance, especially at its price point.
5. BenQ EX2780Q (27-inch)
Price: Around $450
Resolution: 2560×1440 (QHD)
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
Panel Type: IPS
Response Time: 5ms
The BenQ EX2780Q is a high-quality gaming monitor that balances price, performance, and aesthetics. This 27-inch monitor features a 2560×1440 resolution and an IPS panel, offering vibrant colors and wide viewing angles. The 144Hz refresh rate ensures smooth gameplay, and the 5ms response time helps keep motion blur to a minimum.
This monitor also supports HDRi, an intelligent HDR technology that adjusts the screen’s brightness and contrast based on ambient light, providing a better visual experience. Additionally, the built-in sound system, which includes two 2.5W speakers and a 5W subwoofer, enhances the gaming experience with rich, immersive sound.
6. ASUS TUF VG27AQ (27-inch)
Price: Around $380
Resolution: 2560×1440 (QHD)
Refresh Rate: 165Hz
Panel Type: IPS
Response Time: 1ms
The ASUS TUF VG27AQ is another top contender for gamers seeking a combination of affordability and high-end features. With a 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, this monitor is ideal for fast-paced games where every millisecond counts. The 27-inch display with a 2560×1440 resolution strikes a balance between high resolution and performance.
The IPS panel ensures that colors are bright and accurate, while the Adaptive Sync technology (compatible with both NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync) eliminates screen tearing for smoother gameplay. The monitor also supports ELMB (Extreme Low Motion Blur), which enhances motion clarity during high-speed action.
7. MSI MAG272CQR (27-inch)
Price: Around $350
Resolution: 2560×1440 (QHD)
Refresh Rate: 165Hz
Panel Type: VA
Response Time: 1ms
The MSI MAG272CQR is an affordable yet feature-packed monitor perfect for gamers who love curved displays. The 27-inch screen has a 1000R curve, providing an immersive experience while playing. The 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time make it a great choice for competitive gaming, while the VA panel delivers deeper blacks and a more vivid contrast ratio compared to IPS.
One of the standout features of this monitor is its strong gaming-focused design, including customizable RGB lighting on the back. It also comes with support for AMD FreeSync Premium, ensuring smoother gameplay with minimal screen tearing.
8. ViewSonic XG2405 (24-inch)
Price: Around $220
Resolution: 1920×1080 (Full HD)
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
Panel Type: IPS
Response Time: 1ms
For gamers who don’t want to splurge on a larger display but still want excellent performance, the ViewSonic XG2405 is a great pick. This 24-inch monitor offers a 144Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time, which makes it a fantastic choice for fast-paced gaming. The IPS panel ensures vivid colors and wide viewing angles, making it an all-around good choice for competitive gamers.
Though the resolution is 1080p (Full HD), this size still provides crisp visuals while keeping the price low. This is ideal for gamers on a budget or those with lower-end GPUs who don’t need a higher resolution.
Conclusion
Choosing the right gaming monitor depends on your preferences and the types of games you play. If you prioritize performance and competitive gaming, monitors with high refresh rates, low response times, and adaptive sync support (like G-Sync or FreeSync) are essential. On the other hand, if you care more about visual quality and immersion, an IPS or VA panel with HDR support will elevate your gaming experience.
All of the monitors listed here offer excellent value for their price, with a variety of features suited to different gaming needs. Whether you’re looking for a large, curved display or a compact, fast-response monitor, there is a high-performance option for you under $600. These monitors deliver fantastic value and ensure that you can enjoy a smooth, immersive, and visually stunning gaming experience.