In recent years, the gaming monitor market has been dominated by high-end OLED displays, often leading consumers to overlook budget-friendly options. However, after purchasing an Amazon Basics gaming monitor for a video, the impressive performance prompted a deeper investigation into the evolution of budget gaming monitors. Have they experienced a similar revolution as their high-end counterparts?
Sponsored by Micro Center
Before diving into the details, it’s worth noting that this exploration is sponsored by Micro Center, where incredible savings are currently available. Their full sales event features significant price drops on gaming systems and components, including impressive deals like $250 off a Lenovo gaming laptop and enticing AMD and Intel bundle deals.
Analyzing Budget Gaming Monitors
Today, we’ll examine three budget gaming monitors that, on paper, offer exceptional performance relative to their prices.
1. Amazon Basics 24-Inch IPS Monitor
First up is the Amazon Basics monitor, which retails for around $150 (often discounted). This 24-inch IPS 1080p display offers a good pixel density, providing a sharp visual experience. With a 165 Hz refresh rate, gaming performance is smooth, and titles like Counter-Strike look fantastic. Notably, this monitor avoids the ghosting issues commonly found in budget VA displays, making it a significant advantage for gamers.
Color accuracy is decent, with an sRGB color space coverage, and the stand offers height adjustment, a surprising feature for its price. While it may lack in contrast ratios, producing grays instead of deep blacks, the overall value makes it a strong contender for those on a budget.
2. Kuroy 27-Inch 1440p Monitor
Next, we explore the Kuroy 27 E3Q monitor, a 27-inch 1440p display priced at approximately $160—only $10 more than the Amazon Basics model. This monitor boasts a 170 Hz refresh rate, providing an excellent upgrade in pixel density. The IPS panel ensures vibrant colors, covering 96% of the DCI-P3 color space, delivering accurate visuals.
Although the contrast ratios could be better, the monitor excels in motion rendering, providing a smooth gaming experience. For its price, the Kuroy monitor offers exceptional value, making it a standout option in the budget gaming monitor category.
3. Pixio 25-Inch 280 Hz Monitor
Finally, we have the Pixio 25-inch IPS display, featuring an impressive 280 Hz refresh rate, currently priced at $220. While high refresh rates are attractive, the monitor’s performance falters with significant ghosting and poor color accuracy. The inadequate stand and clunky OSD (On-Screen Display) controls detract from the overall user experience.
Given its price point and performance issues, the Pixio monitor does not represent good value, especially compared to the Kuroy and Amazon Basics monitors.
Conclusion
In summary, budget gaming monitors have significantly improved, providing excellent value for consumers. For the best performance and price, the Kuroy 27-inch 1440p monitor is highly recommended, as it competes well with high-end options. For a more casual gaming setup, the Amazon Basics display remains a solid choice. Conversely, unless you enjoy a less-than-ideal experience, it’s advisable to skip the Pixio monitor altogether.
Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for more insights into the world of gaming technology!
