From the best gaming monitors to thebest monitors for coding, having a reliable monitor is essential for work, gaming, and everyday use. However, not every user wants to spend a fortune on a new screen. The good news is that these days, there are plenty of amazing monitor options available, for just under $100.
But with countless options flooding the market, choosing the right budget monitor can be overwhelming. For the budget-conscious gamer, cheap gaming monitors come with high refresh rates and quick response times, ensuring a smooth and immersive gaming experience. Similarly,for office workers and students, monitors with eye-care technology can help reduce strain during long hours of use.
Game Rant has compiled a list of the best cheap monitors under $100 that offer impressive features without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a student cramming for exams, a gamer seeking an immersive experience, or a professional needing a reliable workspace, we’ve got you covered.
Game Rant’s Best Cheap Monitors Under $100 in 2024
Sceptre E275W-FW100T
The Sceptre E275W-FW100T strikes a fantastic balance between affordability and features, making it our top pick for the best overall cheap monitor under $100. This 27-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) monitor offers ample screen real estate, perfect for everyday tasks like browsing the web, working on documents, or watching movies.
Sceptre is one of the most renowned brands in the budget monitor space, and the E275W-FW100T stands out as the best cheap monitor overall, offering a combination of solid performance and affordability. While most budget options offer a 24-inch panel, this model from Sceptre comes with a larger 27-inch panel with a Full HD 1080p resolution. As a result, it delivers clear and sharp images perfect for everyday use. It also has modern connectivity options, including dual HDMI ports and a DisplayPort.
What makes the E275W-FW100T special is that it offers something for everyone. Owing to its gaming nature, the monitor has a 100Hz refresh rate with support for AMD FreeSync. While that’s not as great as 144Hz, it’s a significant upgrade from the standard 60Hz panels on the market. As for movie buffs and content creators, the 100% sRGB color gamut ensures realistic color representation. Adding to the entertainment package are the built-in speakers. As one would expect, they aren’t great by any means, but should get the job done, and give you room to save up for some of thebest speakers for PC.
Acer Nitro KG241Y M3biip
The Acer Nitro KG241Y M3biip stands out as the best cheap monitor for gaming by offering high performance, essential gaming features, and a sleek design at an affordable price point. It offers a 165Hz refresh rate with overclocking support up to 180Hz, offers a fast response time of up to 0.5ms, and comes with AMD FreeSync Premium technology.
For just over $100, The Acer Nitro KG241Y M3biip is an exceptional choice for gamers on a budget, offering a blend of performance and features that enhance the gaming experience without breaking the bank. This 23.8-inch monitor boasts a Full HD 1080p resolution, delivering sharp and vibrant visuals that bring games to life. The monitor has an IPS panel, and also supports 99% sRGB color gamut, and comes with support for HDR10.
In terms of gaming performance, the 180Hz refresh rate panel ensures ultra-smooth motion during fast-paced games. Paired with a 0.5ms response time, the Acer Nitro KG241Y M3biip effectively reduces motion blur and ghosting, allowing players to react quickly and accurately during intense gaming sessions. This is particularly beneficial for competitive gamers who need every advantage they can get. The monitor also supports AMD FreeSync Premium technology, though it is compatible with NVIDIA G-Sync as well.
SANSUI ES-24X3
The SANSUI ES-24X3 is the best affordable monitor under $100 that also comes with USB-C input, offering modern connectivity at an affordable price. This 24-inch monitor features a Full HD 1080p resolution, plenty of ports, adjustable stand, and built-in speakers. All of that for less than a hundred bucks.
Whether it’s to pair with athin and light ultrabook, or ahandheld gaming console, having USB-C connectivity on a monitor is a feature that’s quite in demand. The SANSUI ES-24X3 offers a 24-inch monitor with plenty of connectivity options, including an HDMI port, a USB Type-C port, and a DisplayPort. To further sweeten the value, SANSUI also includes an HDMI-to-HDMI and USB-C to USB-C cable in the package.
Apart from the connectivity, the monitor itself is quite nice too. It’s a Full HD IPS panel with a smooth 100Hz refresh rate. The monitor also comes with built-in speakers, adding convenience for everyday use without the need for additional audio equipment. In addition, the slim and sleek design of the SANSUI ES-24X3 makes it a stylish addition to any desk setup.
ASUS VY249HE
Designed with office productivity in mind, the ASUS VY249HE is an excellent choice for users who spend long hours in front of a screen. This 23.8-inch Full HD monitor boasts ASUS’s Eye Care technology, which reduces harmful blue light emissions to minimize eye strain and fatigue. There’s also flicker-free technology to reduce eye discomfort.
The ASUS VY249HE Eye-Care monitor is the ideal choice for office use, prioritizing comfort and productivity. This 24-inch monitor features a Full HD 1080p resolution, providing clear and sharp images essential for detailed office work. One of the main USPs of this monitor is its Eye-Care technology, designed to reduce eye strain during long hours of use.
In addition to that, the monitor includes ASUS’s Flicker-Free technology and a Low Blue Light filter, which helps minimize eye fatigue and improve overall viewing comfort. This makes it a great option for users who spend extended periods in front of the screen. The 75Hz refresh rate also makes things smoother than the standard 60Hz. This can be particularly beneficial for tasks that involve scrolling through documents or web pages.
Sceptre C248W-FW100T
For folks looking for a truly immersive experience on a budget, the Sceptre C248W-FW100T is worth considering. This 24-inch curved monitor offers a slightly curved screen that enhances the user’s viewing experience, making movies, games, and even productivity tasks more engaging. Despite its budget-friendly price, this monitor delivers Full HD resolution for crisp visuals.
The Sceptre C248W-FW100T stands out as the best curved monitor under $100, offering an immersive viewing experience at an affordable price. The 1500R curvature of the screen is designed to wrap around the user’s field of view, creating a more immersive and engaging experience. This is particularly beneficial for gamers and movie enthusiasts who want to feel more connected to the action on screen.
The panel’s 100Hz refresh rate with 1ms response time makes it a great option for gaming and other fast-paced activities. The monitor also comes with built-in speakers and a 100% sRGB color gamut. One will have to manually tune the colors a bit, and the speakers aren’t exceptional by any means, but the complete package should satisfy most consumer’s needs.
Acer SH242Y Ebmihx
Students on a tight budget will appreciate the Acer SH242Y Ebmihx. This 23.8-inch Full HD monitor offers a good balance of performance and affordability. It features IPS technology, ensuring wide viewing angles and accurate color reproduction, perfect for studying, watching lectures, or enjoying multimedia content.
For students who want a mix of everything, the Acer SH242Y Ebmihx is an excellent choice, offering a balance of affordability, performance, and versatility. This 24-inch monitor features a Full HD 1080p resolution, providing clear and detailed images that are perfect for studying, streaming, and casual gaming. Speaking of which, the 100Hz refresh rate panel comes with support for AMD FreeSync as well for smooth competitive gaming.
Compared to the Sceptre E275W-FW100T on this list, this Acer monitor has a smaller 24-inch panel. However, it makes up for it by offering an excellent panel with an ergonomic stand with support for all sorts of adjustabilities. It can even be rotated to be used as a vertical monitor for fans of dual monitor setups. Factor in Acer’s excellent customer service, and students can pick this budget monitor to meet their needs for academic work, entertainment, and casual gaming.
MNN Portable Monitor 15.6inch
The MNN Portable Monitor 15.6-inch is the best choice for those needing a portable and versatile display solution. This Full HD 1080p monitor is designed to be lightweight and easy to carry, making it perfect for users who need an additional screen while traveling or working remotely. Despite that, it offers a large display, with support for HDR, as well as built-in speakers.
With its combination of portability, connectivity, and performance, the MNN Portable Monitor 15.6-inch is the best choice for those needing a portable monitor solution. It offers flexibility and convenience without compromising on quality. The 15.6-inch monitor with a Full HD resolution offers a large screen real estate with crisp picture quality while ensuring seamless portability. There’s also support for HDR for users who wish to watch a movie on a larger display while traveling.
One of the standout features of this monitor is its USB-C connectivity, which allows for easy connection to laptops, tablets, and smartphones. This makes it incredibly versatile and convenient, especially for users with modern devices. The monitor also includes mini HDMI and 3.5mm audio ports, providing additional connectivity options.
It’s worth noting that while it’s marketed as a portable gaming monitor, the refresh rate is just 60Hz. Thankfully, there are plenty of other portable monitors to use with the Steam Deck or other gaming consoles on the market which you’re able to check out.
How to Choose the Best Cheap Monitor Under $100
Selecting the best cheap monitor for under $100 can prove to be a challenge for consumers, thanks to the plethora of options available. However, understanding what features and specifications matter most can help make the decision easier. Here are a couple of factors to keep in mind while shopping for a cheap and budget-friendly monitor.
Screen Size and Resolution
Monitors in this price range are typically around 24-inches, with some brands offering a larger 27-inch panel. It’s important to consider the available desk space and the intended use. Do keep in mind that most monitors will only offer 1080p resolution, which should be fine for this screen size.
Panel Type and Refresh Rate
There are three main types of panels: TN, IPS, and VA. TN panels are the most affordable, but often have limited viewing angles and color accuracy. IPS panels offer better color accuracy and wider viewing angles, but tend to be more expensive. VA panels strike a balance between the two, offering decent color accuracy and contrast ratios. Make sure to check the panel type and opt for a monitor that suits your needs.
Similarly, for gamers, the refresh rate is very important. Most monitors in this range will offer either 60Hz or 75Hz, though one can get some gaming monitors that go higher to 100Hz. A higher refresh rate means smoother gameplay with less motion blur. If gaming is the priority, consider spending more on a higher refresh rate display.
Ergonomics and Design
Make sure to check if the monitor stand offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments. Ergonomic stands can enhance comfort during long hours of use. Alternatively, if the desk space is limited, one can switch to a monitor arm. In that case, make sure to opt for a monitor that supports VESA mounts, allowing them to be attached to wall mounts or adjustable arms.
Additional Features
While not essential, some additional features can enhance your monitor experience. For instance, some monitors offer built-in speakers, while others may offer a curved screen for immersive gameplay. There are also features like blue light filters and flicker-free technology which can reduce eye strain, making them beneficial for extended use.
FAQ
Q: Are cheap monitors good for gaming?
Yes, some cheap monitors offer features like higher refresh rates and low response times, making them suitable for casual gaming. You can get cheap monitors with 100Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time for under $100 these days.
Q: What is the advantage of a monitor with USB-C input?
Monitors with USB-C input offer versatile connectivity, allowing for data transfer, video output, and power delivery through a single cable. This reduces cable clutter and enhances convenience.
Q: What size monitor should I get for my desk?
The ideal monitor size depends on your desk space and viewing distance. For most users, a 27-inch monitor offers a good balance of size and affordability. However, if you have limited space, a smaller monitor might be suitable. Alternatively, you can get a bigger monitor, and then invest in a monitor arm.
