Best gaming monitor under $400 in 2024 – our top picks

A closer look at the market's best monitors within the $400 price range

Table of Contents Table of Contents

If you are looking for the best gaming monitors for under $400, then we have you covered right here.

Now, a $400 budget may not sound like a lot, but it can get you a decent mid-range gaming monitor loaded with features to support your gaming. In fact, with 400 dollars, you are looking at monitors with good refresh rates, high resolution (even 4K), and support for adaptive sync – which should all translate into good gaming experience.

If you have a look at the gaming monitors available on the market, you will find a lot of options with a $400 budget. To make shopping easier for you, our team of experts at WePC has rounded up some of the best gaming monitors under $400 right here. Plus, we are always on the lookout for new monitors and keep our lists updated – so check back here again for updates.

Today’s best monitor deals

---

Best gaming monitor under $400 in 2024: in-depth reviews

Fortunately, finding a high-quality gaming monitor for under $400 is actually quite reasonable right now – mainly because new technology has come in and reduced the price of aging alternatives.

Best gaming monitor under $400: ASUS TUF Gaming (VG27AQM1A)

01

ASUS TUF Gaming 27-inch (VG27AQM1A)

How We Review

Shop on Amazon Check Price

Pros

• 27-inch QHD display
• 260Hz refresh rate
• HDR 400 support

Cons

• Mediocre design

If you want the best monitor under $400 to be a part of your setup, then we think that this Asus TUF model might do that job well.

To start with, this is a 27-inch monitor, which is a good size for most kinds of games. Plus, you get 1440p resolution, which has almost twice the clarity of 1080p resolution – so you can expect better picture quality. And with HDR 400, you should be able to get more color depth and realism.

To add to that, the display also offers ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync technology, which helps to eliminate ghosting and screen tearing for a better gaming experience.

As far as gaming performance is concerned, the monitor offers a 260Hz refresh rate, which should be more than sufficient for running AAA games as well as fast-paced games. Plus, you also get adaptive sync support with FreeSync Premium as well as G-Sync, which should ensure smoother gameplay.

Best curved gaming monitor under $400: Samsung Odyssey G50A

02

SAMSUNG Odyssey G50A

Refresh rate

165Hz

Response time

1ms

Screen size

32″

Resolution

2560 x 1440

Panel type

IPS

How We Review

Shop on Amazon Check Price

Pros

• Immersive 32″ screen
• High quality IPS panel for stunning colors
• AMD FreeSync Premium & G-Sync compatible
• 165Hz refresh rate & 1ms response time for gaming

Cons

• Top-end of the $400 budget

The Samsung Odyssey range of monitors is one of the most popular out there. Samsung is well known for pushing the boundaries of displays, something they’ve been doing time and time again – especially with the Odyssey line-up. Here we’re talking about the G5, though, particularly the 2022 refresh model. We reviewed the Samsung Odyssey G5, but this G50A model now comes equipped with an IPS panel, which is certain to be a solid upgrade over the previous VA panel, particularly thanks to the wide viewing angles and excellent color accuracy these panels benefit from. That works hand-in-hand with the HD10 rating to offer excellent color accuracy and stunning visuals.

Other specs remain just as impressive as before, as the 1440p gaming monitor is a great middle-ground between 1080p and 4K, particularly if you don’t have a monster of a gaming PC to back up full 4K visuals. As a gaming monitor, the G50A, of course, comes with VRR (variable refresh rate) technology such as AMD FreeSync Premium – though this Samsung monitor is also G-Sync compatible. Either one will ensure that your gaming experience is as smooth as it can be, avoiding any irritating screen tearing or stuttering.

As a 165Hz gaming monitor, it offers just a little bit more than 144Hz, while the 1ms response time is a must-have for gamers who want to enjoy their games without having to worry about ghosting or distracting motion-blur effects. Overall, this is hard to beat in terms of quality and specs, and it just about slips under the $400 budget.

Best 4K gaming monitor under $400: MSI MAG274UPF

03

MSI MAG274UPF UHD monitor

How We Review

Shop on Amazon Check Price

Pros

• 27-inch 4K display
• 144Hz refresh rate
• HDMI 2.1

Cons

• Mediocre HDR

If you want a 4K monitor for your setup for under $400, then you should check out the MSI MAG274UPF monitor. 

This MSI monitor sports a 27-inch screen, which is a suitable size if you sit close to the monitor or if you play fast-paced games. As mentioned, the monitor offers a 4K resolution, which should deliver clear and highly detailed picture quality. 

As far as performance is concerned, the monitor comes with a 144Hz refresh rate, which is more than enough to run most AAA games. You also get a 1ms response time, which should eliminate choppy frame rates. Plus, to keep the refresh rates in sync, the monitor offers support for NVIDIA G-Sync as well as FreeSync Premium.

Coming to the connectivity options, the monitor offers multiple ports, including DisplayPort 1.4a, HDMI 2.1, and more.

Best 2K gaming monitor under $400: LG 27GL83A-B

04

Best all-round gaming monitor for under $400

LG 27GL83A-B 27 gaming monitor

Size

27”

Refresh Rate

144Hz

Response Time

1ms

Panel Type

IPS

Maximum Resolution

1440p

How We Review

Shop on Amazon Check Price

Pros

• IPS Color accuracy and picture quality
• 1440p screen resolution
• 144hz refresh rate
• Excellent value for money

Cons

• Doesn’t perform great in bright rooms

Unlike our top pick (which is more geared towards the competitive player) the LG 27GL83A has a more balanced mix of specifications – making it ideal for the everyday gamer, and sits generously below the $400 budget. The LG offers a stylish design that is accentuated by subtle curves and a red-on-black color theme. The build quality of the 27GL83A monitor is pretty good – usually the case with most LG offerings.

Looking at specifications, LG has equipped this monitor with a careful balance of responsiveness and picture quality. At it’s heart, users will find an impressive ISP monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms (GTG) response time, and 99% sRGB color coverage. It offers variable refresh rate technology in the shape of both G-Sync and FreeSync – with the former only being to a ‘compatible’ standard.

Overall, there’s a lot to like about this 144Hz gaming monitor. Whilst it may not be as fast as our top pick, it does offer better picture quality and greater screen real-estate – factors some users prioritize over raw speed.

Best high refresh rate monitor under $400: Acer Nitro XV272U W2bmiiprx

05

Acer Nitro XV272U W2bmiiprx

Refresh rate

240Hz refresh rate

Response time

0.5ms-1ms

Screen size

27″

Resolution

2560 x 1440

Panel type

IPS

How We Review

Shop on Amazon Check Price

Pros

• Fast 240Hz refresh rate with DisplayPort
• Quick response time as low as 0.5ms GtG
• AMD FreeSync Premium support
• Ergonomic stand design

Cons

• Basic DisplayHDR 400 performance

If you’re really capable of pushing high frame rates in your favorite games, we definitely have to suggest the Acer Nitro XV272U. This is the W2bmiiprx SKU, which offers up to 240Hz for a silky smooth performance. This is only achievable via DisplayPort 1.4 since it’s not an HDMI 2.1 monitor, but this is no problem at all for us PC gamers. Acer has really thrown a high-quality monitor into the mix here under $400, as 240Hz monitors at 1440p are definitely harder to find at this price tag, especially from a trustworthy brand.

Mix the high refresh rate with the response time, which can be as quick as 0.5ms, and you’ve got yourself an excellent gaming monitor for competitive titles. If you’re looking to upgrade from 1080p and don’t want to compromise on gaming performance, then this Acer monitor is one for you. Nothing too flashy in terms of looks with its disk-like base and lack of RGB lighting, but the thin bezel design helps you stay immersed and focused on the game.

This is another IPS panel to ensure high-quality colors, with DCI-P3 95% coverage for solid color accuracy and DisplayHDR 400 rating for decent HDR performance, though this is really the bare minimum in terms of VESA certification. Overall, it has a high-quality monitor for gaming and a sizeable 27″ screen, which makes it good for productivity when you need it.

Best large screen monitor under $400 – MSI MAG401QR

06

MSI MAG401QR

How We Review

Shop on Amazon Check Price

Pros

• 40-inch ultrawide monitor
• 3440 x 1440P resolution
• 155Hz refresh rate

Cons

• Flat screen may feel less immersive

If you are looking for a large-screen gaming monitor (like, around 40 inches) for under $400, then you should look at the MSI MAG401QR – which became our second MSI entry for this list.

The MSI monitor sports a big 40-inch ultrawide display, which is wider than the average 24-inch monitor. Interestingly, this is a flat ultrawide monitor, unlike other ultrawide monitors, which are curved. If you don’t like curved monitors and find them distracting, then this MSI option is a good choice. 

Further, you get a 3440 x 1440p resolution, which, considering the price point, is quite a perk. You should be able to get decent picture quality and clarity with this resolution. To add to this, the monitor has an IPS panel, which should give you good viewing angles and color accuracy.

For gaming, the MSI monitor offers a 155Hz refresh rate, so you should be able to get smooth graphics while gaming. Plus, you get support for FreeSync Premium, which should further smooth out your gaming. 

---

How we test and choose

Whether it’s a best-of-guide or a single product review, we ensure every monitor we recommend has been through a strict testing process. We don’t just search Amazon for the top sellers; we hand-pick the market’s best monitors, and each one is tested with the same meticulous care and attention as the last. This ensures that we can present you with the best products the market has to offer and gives our readers confidence that they can trust any monitor we recommend as having been through the same impartial review process.

As part of the monitor review process, we like to test each for color accuracy, responsiveness, panel uniformity, build quality, and overall gaming performance. We use a number of specifically designed tools to capture the data for each monitor, ensuring only the highest levels of accuracy are recorded during testing. This process allows us to hand-select the best monitors from both a performance and value standpoint whilst also enabling us to compare the latest models with last season’s best sellers. Click here if you want to see our in-depth explanation of how we test each and every monitor.

---

What to expect from a gaming monitor under $400

Buying the best gaming monitor for under $400 does come with a number of expectations. For example, you can’t expect to buy a 4K 144Hz  monitor for $350 – those specifications usually yield a much higher price tag. Unlike the best gaming monitor for under $200 though, you don’t have to make as many sacrifices when doubling your budget to $400.

That said, and for those who aren’t up to date on the latest monitor technology, below are some of the main expectations of buying a monitor in this particular price range:

Refresh rate

Putting it simply, refresh rates are one of – if not the – most important specifications you can consider when purchasing a monitor for competitive gaming. Refresh rate refers to the number of times your panel refreshes itself – with panels ranging from 60hz up to 360hz. Unfortunately, buying a monitor within the $400 price spectrum will limit the refresh rate you can go for.

360Hz monitors are the latest to arrive on shelves, most of which retail for well above $400. That said, you can still get a solid competitive gaming monitor (240Hz) for this price point.

Screen size

Screen size is often considered an expensive premium to have in a monitor, so don’t be expecting to buy a 49″ gaming monitor for under $400. That said, there are still plenty of options available for individuals who want that ‘larger screen’ gaming experience. For example, there are several decent 34″ gaming monitors available today that fall well below the $400 price zone.

Resolution

The resolution is a slightly different story. If you want that gorgeous 4K gaming experience with silky smooth gameplay, chances are, you’ll need to fork out a little bit more for your monitor. However, if you’re the sort of person that doesn’t require lightning-quick refresh rates, there may be a couple of UHD options available.

HDR

Pretty much every monitor under the sun can now lay claim to VESA DisplayHDR400. However, that is the entry-level standard and doesn’t really offer any of the benefits that HDR brings to the table. The higher end of the HDR spectrum (600-1400) will likely see the price of the monitor surpass $400 – as this standard is saved for manufacturers’ premium offerings.

---

Best gaming monitor under $400 FAQs

Are gaming monitors under $400 good?

In short, yes! In today’s market, there are a ton of monitors that currently retail for under $400 – many of which offer great specifications and gaming performance. Simply put, new technology has arrived that has naturally knocked the price of “aging” tech down – leaving budget-restricted individuals in a sea of great gaming monitors.

Whether you’re looking for a 1440p 144Hz monitor for gaming or something more immersive-based, the under $400 price category should have something for everyone.

Can I get an ultrawide monitor under $400?

Yes, even ultrawide monitors are dropping down to this price level. Once reserved for the high end, we’ve seen a number of ultrawide gaming monitors under $400, especially for 21:9 displays.

Final word

So, there you have it, our comprehensive breakdown of the best gaming monitors for under $400 in 2024. Whilst compromises do need to be made at this price point, $400 is still more than enough to get yourself a very efficient gaming monitor. We’ve tried to select monitors that suit a variety of categories, including 4K, esports, and ultrawide options.

With that being said, with a $400 budget, we think that the Asus TUF VG27AQM1A gaming monitor is probably the best one you can get. The monitor offers a 27-inch screen with a QHD resolution, which should deliver high picture quality and immersion at the same time. Plus, you get up to 260Hz of refresh rate, which is sufficient for playing most video games. And with VRR and ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync technology, you should get a smooth gaming experience.