You do not need to spend $500+ to get a great gaming monitor in 2026. The sub-$300 market is packed with excellent options — 1440p at 170 Hz, fast IPS panels with 1ms response times, and FreeSync/G-Sync compatibility are all available without breaking the bank.
This guide breaks down the best gaming monitors under $300 across different price tiers and use cases. Whether you want a budget 1080p screen for competitive shooters or a sharp 1440p panel for immersive RPGs, we have a pick for you.
Building a new PC to go with your monitor? Check our beginner guide to building a gaming PC and our best budget gaming PC build under $800 for hardware recommendations that pair perfectly with these monitors.
Quick Comparison Table
| Monitor | Resolution | Refresh Rate | Panel | Response Time | Sync | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS VG27AQ1A | 2560×1440 | 170 Hz | IPS | 1ms MPRT | G-Sync Compat. / FreeSync | ~$250 |
| Gigabyte M27Q | 2560×1440 | 170 Hz | SS IPS | 0.5ms MPRT | G-Sync Compat. / FreeSync Premium | ~$280 |
| AOC Q27G3XMN | 2560×1440 | 180 Hz | VA (Mini LED) | 1ms GtG | G-Sync Compat. / FreeSync Premium | ~$290 |
| MSI G274QPF | 2560×1440 | 170 Hz | Rapid IPS | 1ms GtG | G-Sync Compat. / FreeSync Premium | ~$260 |
| AOC 27G2SP | 1920×1080 | 165 Hz | IPS | 1ms MPRT | G-Sync Compat. / FreeSync Premium | ~$180 |
| Dell S2722DGM | 2560×1440 | 165 Hz | VA (Curved) | 1ms MPRT | G-Sync Compat. / FreeSync Premium Pro | ~$250 |
Best Overall: ASUS VG27AQ1A (~$250)
The ASUS VG27AQ1A is the best all-around gaming monitor under $300. It delivers 1440p resolution at 170 Hz on an IPS panel with excellent color accuracy, low input lag, and G-Sync Compatible/FreeSync support. At around $250, it hits the sweet spot of price and performance.
Why We Recommend It
- Resolution and refresh rate: 1440p at 170 Hz is the sweet spot for gaming in 2026. Sharp enough for immersive single-player games, fast enough for competitive shooters.
- IPS panel: Wide viewing angles and accurate colors. No washed-out images when viewed from the side.
- ELMB Sync: ASUS’s motion blur reduction technology works simultaneously with adaptive sync, reducing ghosting without the usual brightness penalty.
- HDR400: Basic HDR support. It will not blow you away (true HDR needs 600+ nits), but it is better than no HDR.
Who It Is For
Gamers who want one monitor that does everything well — competitive games, story-driven RPGs, photo/video editing on the side. It is the safe, “you cannot go wrong” choice.
Best Features: Gigabyte M27Q (~$280)
The Gigabyte M27Q matches the VG27AQ1A’s core specs (1440p, 170 Hz, IPS) but adds features that justify the small price premium.
Why We Recommend It
- 0.5ms response time: The Super Speed IPS panel delivers one of the fastest response times in its class. Ghosting is virtually nonexistent.
- Built-in KVM switch: Connect two PCs (or a PC and a laptop) and switch between them with one button press. Keyboard and mouse follow the switch. Invaluable if you work from home and game on the same monitor.
- USB-C with 15W charging: Connect a laptop via USB-C for video, data, and charging through a single cable.
- 92% DCI-P3 color gamut: Excellent color coverage for both gaming and content creation.
Who It Is For
Work-from-home gamers who want a monitor that doubles as a productivity display. The KVM switch alone is worth the upgrade from the VG27AQ1A if you use multiple devices.
Best HDR: AOC Q27G3XMN (~$290)
If you want the best image quality under $300, the AOC Q27G3XMN stands alone thanks to its Mini LED backlight with 1152 local dimming zones.
Why We Recommend It
- Mini LED with 1152 zones: This is the only monitor under $300 with a proper full-array local dimming (FALD) solution. The result is genuine HDR with deep blacks and bright highlights — not the fake “HDR400” that most budget monitors offer.
- 180 Hz refresh rate: Slightly faster than the competition at this price.
- VA panel with Mini LED: VA panels have naturally better contrast than IPS, and the Mini LED backlight pushes contrast even further. Dark scenes in horror games and atmospheric RPGs look stunning.
- 1440p resolution: Sharp and detailed at the 27-inch screen size.
Who It Is For
Gamers who prioritize image quality over viewing angles. If you play atmospheric games, watch movies, or simply want the best-looking monitor under $300, this is it. The VA panel means viewing angles are narrower than IPS, but if you sit directly in front of your monitor (as most people do), this is irrelevant.
Best for Competitive Gaming: MSI G274QPF (~$260)
The MSI G274QPF uses a Rapid IPS panel that prioritizes speed and response time for competitive gamers.
Why We Recommend It
- Rapid IPS technology: Faster pixel transitions than standard IPS panels, reducing motion blur and ghosting in fast-paced games.
- 1ms GtG response time: Among the fastest in its class. Ideal for CS2, Valorant, and other competitive titles where every millisecond matters.
- 170 Hz at 1440p: High enough refresh rate for competitive play with the resolution boost of 1440p.
- Excellent value: At ~$260, it undercuts the Gigabyte M27Q while matching most of its gaming specs.
Who It Is For
Competitive FPS players who want 1440p sharpness without sacrificing speed. Pair this with the right GPU and you will have a responsive, sharp competitive setup. See our RTX 5070 vs RTX 4070 comparison if you are choosing a GPU to drive a 1440p monitor.
Best Budget: AOC 27G2SP (~$180)
If $250+ is out of your budget, the AOC 27G2SP delivers an excellent 1080p gaming experience for under $200.
Why We Recommend It
- $180 price point: The cheapest monitor on this list by a significant margin.
- 165 Hz refresh rate: Fast enough for competitive gaming. The jump from 60 Hz to 165 Hz is transformative.
- IPS panel: Good colors and wide viewing angles, even at this budget price.
- G-Sync Compatible and FreeSync Premium: Adaptive sync works with both NVIDIA and AMD GPUs, eliminating screen tearing without the input lag penalty of V-Sync.
Who It Is For
Budget gamers, students, or anyone building their first gaming setup. The 1080p resolution means your GPU does not need to be powerful — even a GTX 1650 or RX 6500 XT can push high frame rates at 1080p. This monitor is also a great secondary display if you already have a 1440p primary.
Best Curved: Dell S2722DGM (~$250)
If you prefer a curved screen for added immersion, the Dell S2722DGM is the best curved gaming monitor under $300.
Why We Recommend It
- 1800R curve: A gentle curve that wraps the edges of the screen toward you, creating a more immersive experience in racing games, flight sims, and open-world RPGs.
- VA panel: 3000:1 contrast ratio (typical for VA) delivers deeper blacks than IPS. Great for dark scenes and horror games.
- 165 Hz at 1440p: Smooth and sharp. Only 5 Hz less than the IPS competition.
- FreeSync Premium Pro: AMD’s top-tier adaptive sync certification, which includes low framerate compensation (LFC) and HDR support.
Who It Is For
Immersive single-player gamers and anyone who prefers curved displays. The VA panel’s deeper contrast makes it especially good for dark, atmospheric games. Not ideal for competitive FPS due to slightly slower pixel response compared to IPS panels.
How to Choose: IPS vs. VA
The biggest decision when buying a gaming monitor is panel type. Here is the practical difference:
| Feature | IPS | VA |
|---|---|---|
| Color Accuracy | Excellent | Good |
| Viewing Angles | Wide (178 degrees) | Narrow (visible shift off-center) |
| Contrast Ratio | ~1000:1 | ~3000:1 |
| Black Levels | Grayish (IPS glow) | Deep, true blacks |
| Response Time | Fast (1ms) | Moderate (1-4ms, some smearing) |
| Best For | Competitive gaming, color work | Immersive games, movies, dark scenes |
Our recommendation: IPS is the safer choice for most gamers. VA is better if you primarily play single-player games in dark environments and prioritize contrast over speed.
What Specs to Prioritize
- Resolution: 1440p is the sweet spot for 27-inch monitors. 1080p is fine at 24 inches but looks noticeably less sharp at 27 inches.
- Refresh rate: 144 Hz minimum. Anything above 144 Hz (165 Hz, 170 Hz, 180 Hz) is a bonus but not a dramatic difference.
- Adaptive sync: Mandatory in 2026. Both G-Sync Compatible and FreeSync work well. Make sure the monitor matches your GPU brand for the best compatibility.
- Response time: Look for 1ms MPRT or GtG. Real-world performance matters more than spec sheet numbers — check reviews for actual response time measurements.
- HDR: HDR400 is marketing fluff. True HDR needs 600+ nits and local dimming (like the AOC Q27G3XMN’s Mini LED). Do not pay extra for HDR400 alone.
For tips on reducing input lag and getting the most out of your new monitor, check our guide to reducing input lag in PC gaming. And if you are pairing this monitor with a new graphics card, our RTX 5070 vs RTX 4070 comparison helps you pick the right GPU for 1440p gaming.
