Best gaming monitor under $100 in 2023 – budget and cheap picks reviewed

We find the best gaming monitor under 100 this year

Table of Contents Table of Contents

Gaming monitors just get more and more affordable as time goes by thanks to the arrival of new tech, meaning you can get a fantastic gaming monitor for cheap right now. For you budget-focused buyers out there, we’ve put together the best gaming monitor under $100. For individuals that reside in the lower end of the budget spectrum, under $100 is the perfect place to start your display search. Right now, we’d recommend either the Acer SB242Y or Acer KC242Y as your best cheap options at this price range. Mind you, if you fancy spending a little more you can always check out our top monitor picks under $150 too.

Whilst sub $100 monitors do fall short of the mark in terms of high-end gaming, that doesn’t mean they’re beneath your consideration. There are plenty of options in today’s market that provide adequate colors, refresh rates, and response times – making them perfectly acceptable for both console and PC gaming, even if they aren’t exactly the best gaming monitors on the market. We’re always busy updating our guides, so we’ll make sure that the options below are just what you need.

Last-minute Cyber Monday monitor deals

Best gaming monitor under $100: Acer SB242Y EBI

Acer SB242Y EBI

Screen Size

23.8″

Refresh Rate

100Hz

Response Time

1ms

Panel Type

IPS

Resolution

1920 x 1080

How We Review

Shop on Amazon Check Price

Pros

• Smooth 100Hz refresh rate
• Supports AMD FreeSync
• Excellent IPS panel for color accuracy & wide viewing angle
• Stylish frameless design

Cons

• No DisplayPort connection

When it comes to picking out a great gaming monitor at this price point, Acer often offer up a nice selection to choose from. Our previous top pick was another Acer choice – but now a newer model has come along to claim its spot. Introducing this Acer SB242Y EBI monitor which is dubbed as a great pick for both the office and gaming. The IPS panel is a big reason why for that – and while there is a non-IPS model up for grabs for comfortably under $100, we would definitely opt for the superior IPS panel. It often drops just under the $100 mark (commonly on sale according to price-checking sites).

As expected, you get a full HD 1080p resolution with this, which is great for gaming – especially on a near 24″ display. The main selling points for gamers though is the higher 100Hz refresh rate and snappy 1ms response time. That means you can enjoy a smoother display than if you’re upgrading from 60hz – not quite as high as the best 144Hz monitors – but definitely a great pick at this price range. To compliment that, it is supported by AMD FreeSync to minimize any unwanted effects such as screen tearing.

You gain some other nice features with this display too such as the tilt adjustment and 75x75mm VESA mounting pattern to give you nice control over how you want to position the monitor, and Acer VisionCare helps reduce any eye strain during prolonged usage. Aside from that, the ultra thin frameless design makes it great if you want a dual monitor setup. Although it doesn’t feature DisplayPort, the HDMI is a common port, and there is even support for the older VGA format.

Next best gaming monitor under $100: Acer KC242Y Hbi

Acer KC242Y Hbi

Screen Size

23.8″

Refresh Rate

100Hz

Response Time

1ms

Panel Type

VA

Resolution

1920 x 1080

How We Review

Shop on Amazon Check Price

Pros

• Fast 100Hz refresh rate & quick 1ms response time
• AMD FreeSync, flicker-free display
• Zero-frame design great for multi-monitor setups
• Incredible value for money

Cons

• No IPS panel

Next up is yet another pick from Acer, who really have the budget monitor category covered. Again this is a 100Hz refresh rate display, so smooth enough for gaming, while being advertised as a good option for the office too. These hybrid-style monitors are great if you’re working on a budget. Sure, you’re not getting every single gaming-focused feature out there or any fancy RGB lights, but AMD FreeSync is an important inclusion to keep your gaming sessions screen tear-free.

At this kind of price tag, you can’t expect higher than 1080p in most cases, especially for gaming monitors. That’s no problem for players that want to stick to a familiar 1920 x 1080 resolution, especially if you don’t have a beastly gaming PC to run modern games at higher resolutions anyway. The Acer KC242Y Hbi offers a great alternative to our top pick – it features many of the same great specs, yet at a marginally cheaper price if you’re really watching your spending.

The 1ms response time is one important specification for this monitor, allowing you to enjoy fast-paced games or media without having to worry too much about ghosting or other screen stuttering effects. All in all, this is a great display to pick up if you just want a simple and cheap option, particularly as a second monitor considering the zero-frame design.

Best curved gaming monitor under $100: Sceptre C248W-1920RN

Sceptre C248W-1920RN

Screen Size

24″

Refresh Rate

75Hz

Response Time

8ms

Panel Type

VA

Resolution

1920 x 1080

How We Review

Shop on Amazon Check Price

Pros

• More immersive and easy-on-the-eye 1800R curved display
• Decent 75Hz refresh rate for smoother gaming
• Features adaptive sync technology
• Nice 24″ screen size

Cons

• Slower response time not ideal for fast-paced games

If you want to opt for a curved display instead of your bog-standard flat design, then we’ve found a suitable choice at this budget. It’s worth mentioning that the best curved monitors tend to be more expensive than their flat counterparts, so it’s definitely harder to find something with all the bells and whistles on top of the appealing curved design. That being said, this budget pick from Sceptre is our go-to right now.

It of course has a 1080p resolution, and the refresh rate sits at 75Hz, great for smoother casual gaming. One major drawback however is the 8ms response time, which makes it not so great for fast paced games. The key selling point here is the more immersive curved display – with a curvature of 1800R, you can feel more involved in the game and it’s a great pick for story-driven or open world titles. It also comes in at 24 inches too, which is a nicely sized monitor when you consider it’s under $100.

Sceptre advertise adaptive sync technology to help screen tearing and stuttering become less of an issue while gaming, and the 98% sRGB color gamut makes colors accurate – though not as good as an IPS panel. Overall, we think this is a fantastic choice if you want a more immersive experience and want to ditch your flat monitor in favor of a beautiful curved display. Although it doesn’t quite match the gaming specs as top picks here, the unique selling point stands out.

Alternative Acer gaming monitor under $100: Acer-SB220Q

Best alternative gaming mponitor under $100

Acer-SB220Q

Size

21.5”

Refresh Rate

75Hz

Response Time

4ms

Panel

IPS

Resolution

1920 x 1080

How We Review

Shop on Amazon Check Price

Pros

• FreeSync technology
• IPS display
• Thin bezels
• VESA compatible

Cons

• Average response time
• Not the best colour accuracy

The Acer SB220Q may be the cheapest recommendation we make for the monitors but it’s by no means a slouch. This monitor not only comes way under budget but it sports an IPS display with a reasonable response time of 4ms, which is a good middle ground for a lot of gamers.

This low profile monitor sits at just under $90 and looks and feels like a quality display. The IPS panel may not be the best but in this price category, it’s a welcomed feature to have and it does a fantastic job for gaming. Response times sometimes suffer from this panel type as we see here but anything under 5ms should still be considered as its very hard to notice. It is worth noting if this had a quicker response time then it would probably be a bit higher in the list

You are getting FreeSync technology with this monitor too which should be a bare minimum, even in budget monitors these days. The monitors refresh rate is also capable of 75Hz which when you game with Freesync on, it eliminates input lag and any stuttering issues you may face. So the features of this monitor aren’t too bad but the main thing to talk about here is the ultra-thin profile to this, from the side it’s near invisible. The ultra-thin display is great and the thin bezel edge only adds to this sleek design making this one of the more attractive monitors in the under $100 price bracket.

Unfortunately, this isn’t compatible with VESA so you are limited in that regard. Overall for a budget monitor, it has to be taken seriously and thanks to a good amount of features this monitor can please a variety of gamers across the board!

Best budget 24 inch monitor: Sceptre E248W

Best 24″ gaming monitor under $100

Sceptre E248W

Size

24″

Refresh Rate

75Hz

Response Time

5ms

Panel

TN

Resolution

1920 x 1080

How We Review

Shop on Amazon Check Price

Pros

• Biggest screen size out of recommendations
• VESA compatible
• Slim and sleek
• Decent refresh rate

Cons

• No Freesync
• TN panel
• Average response time

Lastly but by no means least is the Sceptre E248W and its 24″ display.

The response time could be quicker seeing as it is a budget TN panel monitor but its not so slow you’d notice all that much anyway. It is worth noting that these Sceptre displays are quite popular budget monitors and their range does vary in price leading to some bargains for those on the hunt for a good deal. You can even pick up the smaller 22″ version of this for under $80 making it one of the best for value available at this size.

This doesn’t feature Freesync or indeed a lightning-fast response time but it does provide a nice display to enjoy games in full HD. It uses a TN panel, which unfortunately isn’t as bright as your IPS panels but this still does a brilliant job. The design is stylish and the overall look of the monitor is brilliant. It features really thin bezel edges all the way around the screen and it has a very thin profile too which means this monitor wouldn’t look out of place in even the most advanced setups.

This budget pick is for those on a budget looking to get a slightly bigger screen. If you are after anything more than that it may be worth checking out what’s available in the under $150 price bracket but all things considered this is still a solid monitor for the price.

Another cheap gaming monitor: ViewSonic VX2267-MHD

ViewSonic VX2267-MHD

Size

22″

Refresh Rate

75Hz

Response Time

1ms

Panel

VA

Resolution

1920 x 1080

How We Review

Shop on Amazon Check Price

Pros

• Nice and quick 1ms response time
• Thin bezel design
• AMD FreeSync support
• Built-in speakers

Cons

• Slight stretching the $100 budget

The next budget-busting monitor on the list is this 22″ from ViewSonic. As Standard, you will be getting ViewSonics ‘game mode’ feature which can enhance colors such as darks whilst in-game. Along with this, you get a nice and snappy 1ms response time on the VA panel, which is great for any fast-paced games you want to play.

It is worth noting with this range of monitors if you have around an extra $10-30 you can afford to grab the 24″ version for those that require a larger display for gaming/entertainment. It’s always worth mentioning that ViewSonic produces lots of gaming monitors and it’s a brand that you can trust. This refreshed model does include AMD FreeSync to help smooth out gameplay on the 75Hz display. This is a budget pick you can consider for competitive gaming and the display is actually quite crisp.

Despite the smaller screen, it does have built-in speakers and can be used as a multimedia monitor if needed. Although the speakers in these sized/priced monitors are never that good compared to most headsets or standalone speakers, this still has to be a plus.

How we choose

Whether we’re reviewing the best gaming monitors under $100 or the best GPUs on the market, choosing the right hardware can always be a tricky task. It requires hours of product research, performance benchmarking, and reviewing user feedback to get anywhere close to a definitive conclusion on what to recommend.

If you aren’t tech-savvy and struggle to put the time aside to go through the above requirements, you may end up purchasing a gaming monitor that isn’t right for you. Fear not though, friends! Here at WePC, we like to take the stress of research away, and transform the whole process into an easy-to-follow, complete buyers guide. That’s right, our team of PC enthusiasts has done all the hard work for you!

How we test

Testing the products we recommend is a huge part of the overall selection process in our best of guides. It’s a way to make sure what we recommend is, without a doubt, the best option in its specific category. To be sure a gaming monitor is “the best,” it must show excellent performance in our tests, and display better qualities and features than the competition it faces.

Most of the products we recommend here at WePC have gone through a strict testing process that involves everything from the price and performance, to build quality, efficiency, and aesthetics. Each product is pushed to the limit to see how it performs under intense stress to make sure it warrants our coveted top spot. Doing this enables us to provide you with the most accurate review of how the product performs and, ultimately, whether it’s worth your hard-earned cash.

Best gaming monitor under $100 : Things to consider

No matter what you are purchasing there are always going to be key things to consider to ensure you get the right product for your needs. Whether the product is a gaming monitor under $100 or a new gaming mouse, it is crucial to understand what makes each model the best, so you don’t waste your hard-earned cash.

Below, we are going to go over a few key factors for you to take into consideration before buying a new gaming monitor. This will help you in the selection process and ultimately make sure you walk away with the best product for your specific needs.

Refresh rate

A monitors refresh rate is highly important to gamers. The rate is measured in hertz and is a way of seeing how fast a monitor can refresh the image on the screen. Refresh rates vary from 60Hz all the way up to 240Hz and beyond but when dealing with gaming monitors under $100, the vast majority are running at 60Hz.

60Hz is ideal for everyday usage and not favored among gamers but when we have strict budgets there are always going to be compromises and refresh rates are one of these. 60Hz is fine for competitive gaming, although most competitive players would consider this too low. That being said if you enjoy single-player games, this refresh rate is going to be better suited to you.

Screen resolution

A screens resolution can have a direct impact on your PC’s performance but when dealing with monitors under $100, they are often going to be 1080p. 1080p full HD monitors are the kings of budget gaming monitors, with 1440p and 4K options out of reach. If you have a high-end gaming PC, buying a budget sub-$100 gaming monitor with 1080p resolution is considered a waste as you could be getting much more out of your hardware.

We understand not everyone has extra money to spare on extravagant monitor upgrades but you should definitely consider going for monitors over at least $150, to get more use out of them and of course, more enjoyment.

Panel type

There are many different types of panel technologies, with most modern monitors being manufactured using TFT-LCD (thin-film transistor-liquid crystal display) technology. Each different technology has its own pros and cons and perform differently in specific scenarios. Some types are more responsive, while others are better for wide viewing angles and color reproduction.

The main panel types are TN (twisted nematic), VA (vertical alignment), and IPS (in-plane switching). To better understand the positives and negatives take a look at the table below.

Should you buy refurbished monitors for under $100?

The main reason to consider a refurbished product is simply down to cash. you’re going to get really good deals on used displays, a number of which will be better than either of the options that we’ve offered above and you can still take advantage of a gaming monitor that comes under $100!

While it may be a tough sell for many to buy monitors that aren’t brand new, compromising with refurbished monitors on a budget can often pay off by granting you access to higher refresh rates, lower response times and lower prices for acceptable 1080p monitors.

Where to buy

If you’re in the market for refurbished monitors, some places to check out are Microcenter and BenQDirect. These outlets provide the best deals you’ll find on refurbished monitors, with BenQDirect offering high-end BenQ monitors with a 1-year warranty.

For those more familiar with Amazon you can see a wide range of refurbished stock for multiple different monitor options. Simply find the product you want and click on ‘Used & New’ to see the various buying options and graded stock.

What to look for

When shopping for refurbished monitors, try to find ones with better specs than new monitors in the same price range. If you’re settling for refurbished, you should get something to compensate for that even if it is just a lower price.

One thing to look for is a 144Hz refresh rate. This will make your games feel smoother and more responsive than they would otherwise. Another thing to look for is 1ms response times. These are surprisingly common for refurbs under $100 and will minimize input latency between you and your monitor. Do bear in mind gaming still feels responsive up to 5ms but you would expect a better quality of panel for this compromise like IPS.

Other aspects you may appreciate from a refurb are 24 inch+ monitor sizes, more adjustable features, or just a monitor that is visually pleasing on the eye.

Possible issues with refurbs

Buying refurbs is normally fine and covered under warranty for any on-arrival problems. Used monitors, however, typically have at least a few issues. From tiny to most severe, here’s what to look out for:

• Mild Cosmetic Damage – Mild scratches to the bezels and screen, or a dirty screen. These can be ignored or cleaned, respectively.
• Dead Pixels – Dead pixels refer to pixels that are stuck on one color, like white, and do not change in accordance with the rest of the screen. Typically there will only be one or two dead pixels on a screen since it’s a manufacturing defect, and while it can mostly be ignored it can drive you crazy if you pay attention to it.
• Backlight Bleed – Backlight bleed occurs when either a backlight is too powerful, or other parts of the monitor are starting to fail. This will result in weird differences in brightness on different sections of the screen, especially noticeable in dark rooms.
• Flickering – Flickering is a common reality of CRT monitors, but it can happen to LCD monitors too. Not only is flickering annoying, but in the long-term, it can cause headaches or nausea to those who are particularly sensitive to it.
• Burn-In – When an image is simply burned into the screen. Usually manifests as an afterimage on the screen, most often seen in common taskbar locations at the top, bottom or sides of a display.
• Major Damage – Cracks in the screen, loose power connectors, etc. If you notice any of these issues, do not buy.

What to expect when buying a gaming monitor under $100

With the average price of gaming monitors starting to fall, we’ll be looking at the realistic expectations of buying a monitor under $100. At this price point, you’ll struggle to find a monitor with high-end specifications. That said, you’ll still be able to get 100Hz (maybe 144Hz on sale) refresh rates and 1ms response times.

You can also expect a 1080p FHD screen resolution and 24-inch screen – with HDR rare at this price point. Build materials will likely be of lower quality, with stand adjustments and ergonomics limited.

Best gaming monitor under $100 FAQs

What is the best gaming monitor under $100?

Right now, we pick the Acer SB242Y EBI as one of the best gaming monitors on the market at this price point.

It features an excellent 100Hz refresh rate, 1080p screen resolution, and 23.8″ display size. Better yet, it delivers a smooth gaming experience thanks to its quick 1ms response time.

Are cheap gaming monitors worth it?

Everyone has a budget to work with, so there is no problem in opting for a cheaper gaming monitor. You probably won’t get to experience anything like a 4K resolution or premium 240Hz refresh rate, but entry-level monitors offer excellent value for money while dishing out a range of good specs, even for gaming – so well worth it if you want a cheap option.

Related monitor pages

• Best gaming monitor under $150
• Best gaming monitor under $200
• Best gaming monitor under $300
• Best gaming monitor under $400
• Best gaming monitor under $500

Final word

It is important to know the best gaming monitors under $100 are considered entry-level. If you are in possession of a great system or you are planning on building a decent gaming PC, it may be worth saving for a little longer and going for a better investment. Of course, you can get a lot more for under $300 and even $200 if your budget can stretch that far.

As far as new monitors go, the Acer SB242Y EBI is the best gaming monitor under $100. It offers an excellent size and refresh rate for this price range; it is highly responsive and it comes from a reliable manufacturer.