Products at a Glance
How We Picked The Best Budget 144hz Monitors
We wanted to give a good variety of options, some of which are sub $200 144hz monitors with others under $500 that are great performers for the price. There’s surely a monitor here for every gamer aiming for a bargain based on what features they’re getting. We also wanted to cater to AMD and Nvidia GPU setups whilst giving a bit of scope with screen size and resolution.
Product Reviews
- 165Hz Curved screen for under $150
- 1ms response time
- 165Hz only supported via DP Port
Whilst refresh rates over 144Hz need to be supported by a DP (Display Port) input, this can be combated on most graphics cards without one. For example, most gaming laptops can output via USB 3.0 which can go into DP with the help of an adaptor. With that being said, DP 1.2 and HDMI 2.0 both support 4K up to 60 frames per second, so none of the usual HDMI vs DP comparisons holds much water here.
For this price point, users will be expecting a full HD display (1920 x 1080) and not QHD (also known as 1440p). Considering the monitor is on the smaller end of the scale (24”) and the fast refresh rates and response times, this shouldn’t impact image quality. If you are looking for QHD or UHD/4K resolutions, it might be an idea to save for a while. Overall, this is currently the best bang you’ll get for your buck that also caters for AMD’s Freesync tech.
- G-Sync Compatibility for under $200
- 0.5 ms response time
- On the pricey side considering HDMI 1.2
G-Sync monitors seem to be naturally pricier in today’s market, but a sub $200 165Hz 24” Full HD display is not to be sniffed at. Its 0.5ms response time will ensure no detail is lost during intense and fast-moving sequences overall, and its ultra-low blue light feature will ensure minimum eye strain in dark environments.
It also features a couple of ASUS-branded features that look after control and color balance which is always nice to see in budget monitors. It’s also surprisingly rare to find a budget monitor aimed at gamers that has an adjustable stand with tilt and pivot functionality. Thanks to the DP and Vesa mount compatibility, it’s quite easy to run multiple VG248QG at once with the help of some splitters and decent VESA arms.
Need a cheap G-Sync option to be one of the best budget 144hz monitors? This one’s for you.
- 27” IPS panel
- 95% DCI-P3 coverage
- Ok brightness
- Does not support HDR
If you are looking for the best budget 144hz monitors for PS5, then the Gigabyte G27F is for you. With good image quality, a 144hz refresh rate, and fast pixel response, this monitor ticks every box needed for gaming.
Unfortunately, this monitor does not have HDR support although not many displays truly do. According to the creators, the Gigabyte G27F has superior content production panels, covering 95% of the DCI-P3 gamut.
Coming in under $200, this option is a strong contender for anyone looking for a budget 144hz display.
- Up to 240HZ
- Small screen bezels ideal for multiple display setups
- Pricey for a 1080p screen
AOC are holding their own in the high-performance monitor market in general, but are excelling in the budget sector. At first glance, this monitor may seem a little steep at around $400 for a 1080p screen, but its feature set more than makes up for its lack of 1440p. 240Hz is aiming for high-end GPUs, and it’s something users should be aiming for to take full advantage of what we assume is a massive investment given today’s graphics card market.
0.5ms means more detailed fast-paced action, even more so when it comes to FPS and action titles. Even sports fans will notice the difference here, allowing users to catch every pass with their eyes. It sports a 170-degree viewing angle also, which comes in very handy when taking advantage of those thin bezels and a synced multi-monitor array.
- A great Freesync alternative to MSI
- Fantastic screen quality with simple yet effective settings
- Hard to find in some territories
AGON is the new gaming brand from AOC, and it’s packing a bunch at the border of budget monitor offerings with the incredibly built AG273QXP. The screen pops at a classy 27” @ 1440p, almost letting users forget that 4K UHD exists. The 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time compliments this and positions this monitor as a serious contender for the MSI throne in this buyer’s guide.
It’s let down by its limited distribution and basic features, but don’t let these basic features fool you. Sometimes it’s much better to have finely tuned customization with fewer options than an array of options, half of which are about as useful as an Activision executive. It’s also a great option for Freesync enthusiasts looking for a monitor that has some greatly executed and worthwhile features without breaking the bank.
Things To Consider
There are a number of different things to consider if you’re looking for the best cheap 144hz monitor.
Adaptive Sync Technologies
Look for either Nvidia G-Sync or AMD FreeSync monitors, as these are two technologies that will help reduce screen tearing at high-frame rate gaming. At the budget end, you’ll likely be getting the entry level versions of these, which will be G-Sync compatible and AMD FreeSync. If you want to spend more, you can find monitors with the top tier technology – G-Sync Ultimate and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.
Resolution
You can find monitors which are 4K and 144hz, but they are usually more expensive HDMI 2.1 monitors. For budget 144hz monitors, you’ll usually find either 1440p or 1080p resolution. This is fine, if you’re picking the right screen size…
Screen Size
For 1080p resolution go for a monitor between 24 and 27 inches. For 1440, go for a monitor between 24 – 32 inches. These sizes will help you preserve visual picture quality in line with the display’s pixel density.
What does refresh rate mean?
The refresh rate is the number of times a display refreshes in a second to show a new image. The unit of frequency is Hz (hertz). Therefore, 144Hz means the display refreshes 144 times per second to show a new image.
What does response time mean?
Response time for monitors is the time it takes to shift from one color to another. This is usually measured in the time it takes to go from black to white back again to black expressed in milliseconds (ms).
Does 144Hz mean 144 FPS (Frames per second)?
Yes. 144Hz directly translates to 144 FPS. The max frame rate you can display on the screen will be 144 FPS. anything past that will not be rendered on screen.
Are cheap 144Hz monitors worth it?
Yes, it is! Investing in a 144Hz gaming monitor is definitely recommended especially if you are gaming. This type of monitor will give you that competitive edge with its improved responsiveness.
Is 144Hz good for gaming?
High refresh rate monitors are becoming the standard for gaming. 144Hz monitors are a good choice for gamers with hardware that can’t reach extremely high frames per second. If gaming at high resolution is more of a priority then check out our top picks for 4K gaming monitors.
Our Verdict
Although AGON has come close with its AG273QXP, ASUS takes the win for best all-round 144Hz budget monitor. Granted, it’s not the cheapest option, but finding these features alongside good build quality and a companion app for under $500 is a solid offering.
Let’s not forget about that beautiful rapid 1440p 165Hz Full HD display either. And importantly, top of our Best Budget 144hz Monitors list.