Here we list the best cheap 144hz gaming monitors for those who are on a budget. We picked this list after hours of research and analysing hundreds of user reviews to provide the best budget 144Hz monitor under $300. It includes Acer XF240H vs MSI Optix MAG241C vs ASUS VG259Q vs Acer XB3 (high-end monitor).
Acer XF240H – Best 144hz Monitor Under 200
Acer XF240H designed specifically for gamers with bright, vibrant colours, blackest blacks, plus as little lag and blur as possible. Acer XF240H is pretty affordable price with smooth gaming performance. Out of the box it comes up with with power cable, DVI and DisplayPort cables, plus the standard manual and warranty documentation. You have to screw the stands which comes in two pieces in the box. Here is my review on Acer XF240H.
Design & Features
Acer XF240H is one of the light weight monitors with 24-inch screen size. The monitor is very solid with simple features and basic monitor design. It comes in a matte black finish for both stand and monitor with a distinct red stripe around the base of the stand. The distinct red round looks pretty good which is a differentiator from others in the aesthetic part. You can keep your cables tidier with the help of the little square hole in the stand.
The bezels are thin enough which supports better viewing angle. The bottom right side of the monitor on and off buttons are located and settings buttons are located on the monitor’s bottom right side which are solid enough.
Acer XF240H is a 24 inch as already quoted and offers full HD 1080p display with a native resolution of 1920 x 1080. It has a refresh rate of 144Hz and a 1ms response time. The AMD FreeSync technology helps to eliminate tearing and ensures smooth gameplay. The contrast ratio is 1000:1 and comes with equipped Acer EyeProtect technology. It has got blue light filter to help reduce strain and fatigue on your eyes and flicker-less technology. It comes up with built in speakers and my suggestion is to opt for a good set of headset with microphones.
Performance
It produces fine colors and the image quality was very comparable, verging on identical in quality. At the beginning the colors were awfully washed, and the screen was blindingly bright, but upon adjustment of settings it became bright. You can fix the brightness to 25 to 35 and the gamma to 2.2 and adjusting saturation and color temperature increases brightness.
Upon further testing it is further found that upon reaching near the peak of 144Hz coors again shows fade. By keeping the frame to 120Hz, this can be eliminated. The colours were vibrant, bright and alive and there is no ghosting or lag. The rendering was very fast with clear, non-tearing graphics.
Specifications
- Screen Size: 24 Inches
- Resolution: Full HD 1080p
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Twisted Nematic Film (TN)
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Response Time (Gray to Gray): 1 Milliseconds
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
- Brightness: 350 cd/m²
- Built-In Speakers: Yes (2 x 3 Watts)
- Stand: Height: Yes (5.9 inches)
- Stand: Tilt: Yes – (-5°/35°)
- Stand: Swivel – Yes (60°)
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100×100)
- Connectivity: HDMI x 1, DisplayPort x 1, DVI x 1, D-Sub x 1, 4 x USB 3.0, 3.5mm Audio Jack
- Weight: 13.99 lbs. w/ stand
- Dimensions with stand: 21.08″ x 22.32″ x 9.65″
- Dimensions without stand: 13.22″ x 22.32″ x 2.39″
Conclusion
At its current price point, the Acer XF240H is one of the best 144hz monitors with simple design and light weight. It keeps your eyes from getting too strained from long gaming sessions with its special features and designed specifically for this purpose. You have to fiddle with settings to get extremely good brightness but other than that it is the most picked Editor’s choice in this price category of 144 Hz monitors.
MSI Optix MAG241C – Best 144hz Monitor Under 300
PROS
- Wide color gamut and high contrast
- 1ms MPRT effectively deals with ghosting
- Eye-catching thin-bezel curved design
- Plenty of gaming features such as FreeSync
- USB ports
CONS
- Tilt-only design
- Moderate ghosting in fast-paced games, particularly where dark pixels are predominant
- There are better alternatives at this price range
- No sRGB preset
MSI Optix MAG241C will provide you high gaming experience with low input lag, high refresh rate, and a quick 1ms MPRT speed and delivers excellent image quality. With a fair price it comes up with a 24″ curved display with a high-contrast VA panel, AMD FreeSync, and the 1ms MPRT technology.
Design & Features
Very much gamer friendly with very thin bezels and 1500R curvature makes the MSI Optix MAG241C 144Hz gaming monitor ideal for a multi-display setup. It comes up with VESA mount compatible stand which is tilt only and there is an anti – glare screen coating and hanger for headphones. In the connectivity part, it includes two HDMI 1.4 ports, DisplayPort 1.2, a dual USB 2.0 hub and a headphones jack. All display connectors support FreeSync with a 48-144Hz dynamic range.
Related Read: 5 Best 240Hz Gaming Monitors For Hardcore Gamers
The OSD (On-Screen Display) is very user-friendly and the joystick is placed at the back of the monitor. The OSD menu involves RPG, Racing, FPS, RTS and one customizable picture preset under the Game Mode settings.
The response time includes Normal, Fast, and Fastest modes and Anti Motion Blur which is the 1ms MPRT technology is automatically enabled when it is in the Fastest mode. Other features include the standard settings such as sharpness, brightness, and contrast as well as an Eye Saver mode, 4:3/16:9 aspect ratio selection, and RGB color settings.
Performance
It comes up with a wide 178-degree viewing angles which ensures no contrast and color shifts when looking at the monitor from skewed angles, and the MSI Optix MAG241C input lag amounts to less than 5ms which is fit for hardcore gaming. The MSI Optix MAG241C comes up with 1ms MPRT (Moving Picture Response Time) which reduces smearing and ghosting of fast-moving objects.
It has a usual contrast ratio of 1,000:1 and a static contrast ratio of 3,000:1
Which makes details in shadow more vivid. MSI Optix MAG241C curved gaming monitor offers 115% sRGB color space and an extended color gamut covering 90% DCI-P3. The screen has a pixel resolution of 1080p and the size is 24″ and provides a decent pixel density of 93.34 PPI (Pixels Per Inch) which is enough to make pixels individually indistinguishable when looking at the monitor from a normal viewing distance.
Conclusion
Optix MAG241C is an excellent gaming monitor which is value for the money with excellent features. Editors choice in the 144 Hz category of monitors.
| MSI Optix MAG241C Specifications | |
| Screen Size | 23.6-inch |
| Screen Curvature | 1500R |
| Resolution | 1920×1080 (Full HD) |
| Panel Type | VA |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 (Widescreen) |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz |
| Response Time (GtG) | 4ms (GtG) |
| Response Time (Backlight Strobing) | 1ms (MPRT) |
| Adaptive Sync | FreeSync (48Hz-144Hz) |
| Ports | DisplayPort 1.2, 2x HDMI 1.4 |
| Other Ports | 2x USB 2.0, Headphone Jack |
| Brightness | 300 cd/m2 |
| Contrast Ratio | 3000:1 (static) |
| Colors | 16.7 million (true 8-bit) |
| VESA | Yes (100x100mm) |
ASUS VG259Q
PROS
- Accurate and consistent colors
- Fully ergonomic design
- Plenty of gaming features including FreeSync and ELMB
- Fast pixel response time speed
CONS
- Expensive
- Some calibration is required for the optimal picture quality
The ASUS VG259Q is a 1080p 144Hz IPS gaming monitor comes up with smooth performance and excellent image quality with rapid pixel response time and plenty of useful gaming features. It has got certified G-SYNC compatibility which ensures stunning colors as well as fluid performance.
Design & Features
It comes up with a fully ergonomic stand +/- 90° swivel, 90° pivot, -5°/33° tilt, up to 130mm height adjustment, and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility. It has a 5 way joystick which is placed at the back of the monitor helps to navigate the OSD menu of the monitor.
The input sources, Game Plus and Game Visual features, and power on/off is controlled by four buttons in addition to the joystick. The Game Visual offers pre-calibrated picture presets such as Scenery, Racing, Cinema, RTS/RPG, FPS, sRGB, and MOBA and the Game plus feature consists of on-screen timers, trackers, and crosshairs.
Related Read: Best G-Sync Gaming Monitors for Heavy-Duty Gamers
The monitor has a an integrated low-blue light filter and a flicker-free backlight which ensures a comfortable viewing experience on your eyes. In addition to this you will find Shadow boost features which will improve visibility and three profiles to save/load your settings as well as other standard picture adjustment tools such as contrast, brightness, sharpness, color temperature, saturation, etc.
In the connectivity part it comes up with single DisplayPort 1.2 input, two HDMI 1.4 ports, a headphones jack, and dual 2W integrated speakers. All three inputs support 1080p up to 144Hz.
Performance
ASUS VG259Q got a pixel response time of 3ms with little motion blur and the picture quality id good. For 3ms response time you’d need to set the ‘TraceFree’ overdrive option to 100 and alternatively you can use the Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) technology to get 1ms MPRT
This technology provides CRT-like motion clarity but it can be used in fixed refresh rates of 100Hz, 120Hz, or 144Hz.
AMD FreeSync technology and certified by NVIDIA as G-SYNC compatible, ASUS VG259Q, you will be able to use FreeSync with compatible NVIDIA cards. At the same time ELMB and FreeSync cannot be enabled.
Related Read: 30 Best Monitors for Gaming & Designing
While coming to the image quality it has a static contrast ratio of 1,000:1, and 8-bit color depth support. The viewing angle is 178° and a 400 nit peak brightness. The colors are accurate, consistent, and vivid but the box calibration is isn’t great. Calibration is required for optimal image quality. You can use the provided sRGB picture preset for precise color reproduction thereby you will get the best image quality right away.
ASUS VG259Q comes up with a viewable screen of 24.5″ and a pixel density of roughly 90 PPI.
Conclusion
For 144Hz category of gaming monitors although it’s a bit expensive…but it will give you the value for your money.
Viotek GN27DB
Pros
- Excellent value for the price
- High contrast ratio and pixel density
- Vibrant colors
- AMD FreeSync and stable G-SYNC performance
Cons
- Tilt-only stand
- Somewhat low peak brightness
- Moderate ghosting in fast-paced games, especially in dark scenes
Viotek GN27DB very affordable monitor with 27-inch screen size with 1440p 144Hz gaming monitor within a least price category. It produces a perfect gaming experience with optimal resolution, refresh rate and screen size. Viotek was able to bring such specifications in a budgeted friendly level.
Design & Features
Viotek is VESA mount capable with so affordable and the stand is tilt-only by -5°/15°. You can mount he screen on a third-party stand with the help of VESA mount and it has got very narrow bezels. In the connectivity part it has HDMI 1.4, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2 and 3W integrated speakers. One of the drawback is it has no audio line out port. The screen has a curvature of 1800R.
Viotek GN27DB OSD (On-Screen Display) menu consists of features like pre-calibrated picture presets (Standard, Text, Movie, Game, FPS, and RTS), Picture in Picture and Picture by Picture and GamePlus customizable crosshairs. In addition to this it includes standard features like color temperature, gamma (three presets), contrast/brightness, sharpness,
aspect ratio, 6-axis hue/saturation and Response Time/Overdrive (Off, Low, Middle, High).
Performance
Viotek GN27DB is even fit for professional gaming with an excellent input lag performance of ~5ms of virtually imperceptible delay. Viotek GN27DB FreeSync range is 40-144Hz and it supports AMD FreeSync which provides a variable refresh rate and it also offers a stable VRR performance when using compatible NVIDIA cards which makes it G-SYNC compatible. One of the disadvantage is the low peak luminance other than that the monitor is quite good for gaming.
Related Read: 11 Best PS4 Bluetooth Headset for Extreme Gaming
While considering the image quality Viotek GN27DB comes with rue 8-bit color depth with 85% NTSC color gamut (110% sRGB), contrast ratio of 3,000:1, Samsung Vertical Alignment panel, 5 ms response time, 250-nit peak brightness and wide 178-degree viewing angles. These features make Viotek GN27DB prefereably to those who consider image quality over performance.
Specifications
| Screen Size | 27-inch |
| Screen Curvature | 1800R |
| Resolution | 2560×1440 (WQHD) |
| Panel Type | VA |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 (Widescreen) |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz |
| Response Time | 5ms (GtG) |
| Adaptive Sync | FreeSync (40Hz-144Hz) |
| Speakers | 2x3W |
| Ports | DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.4, HDMI 2.0 |
| Brightness | 250 cd/m2 |
| Contrast Ratio | 3000:1 (static) |
| Colors | 16.7 million (true 8-bit) |
| VESA | Yes (75x75mm) |
Conclusion
Outstanding gaming monitor while considering the budget. It is hard to get theses kind of features like high resolution, a high refresh rate, an immersive image quality etc within this kind of a budget makes it Editors choice for best budgeted 144 Hz gaming monitor.
Acer Predator XB3 – Expensive but Excellent
PROS
Great color reproduction.
Low input lag.
Good price for the features you get.
Gaming-friendly design.
CONS
Costly
Limited number of ports.
Black levels could be better.
Moderate light bleed.
The Acer Predator XB3 is a nearly perfect compromise between the lowest and highest ends of the 4K 144Hz monitor market. The high refresh G- Sync, ultrafast, HDR gaming monitor is a far better performer and almost matches the screen quality of the much-more-expensive X27. Right fit for 4K 144 HDR gaming monitors, making it Editors choice.
It is quite same with Predator X27 or the Nitro XV3 without much difference. It has got same 20-degree swiveling base, same lack of vertical display modes, same brushed-plastic backing etc.
Design & Features
Acer Predator XB3 is 27-inch monitor with a height of 21.3 inches, 3.4 inches deep and 24.8 inches width. It weighs less than 16 pounds and comes with three shade structures. A strip of light is situated Underneath the front bar of the monitor which can move side to side, pulsate or remain solid in six different colors which is a unique feature of Predator brands. On the sound part, it comes up with 4-watt speakers which is good with headphones.
In the connectivity part, there is only one HDMI 2.0 port, which is one of the drawbacks of the monitor, one DisplayPort 1.4b, one 3.5mm headphone jack, and two USB 3.0 downstream ports. Need more ports everywhere..
The five way joystick controls the OSD and has got options like blue light filters, Dark boost mode, hardware based crosshair, tuning RGB sliders etc.
Performance
There is no visible difference with X27 here comes a notable one in the scaling down of HDR. i.e. Scaling down of HDR from 1000 in the latter to HDR 400 in the former. In our test for color accuracy 90.1 percent of DCI-P3, 99.9 percent of the sRGB color space, which is comparatively very high to Predator X27. It has an input lag figure of 5.4ms results in a stellar gaming performance. There aren’t any screen tears due to the inclusion of G-Sync module.
Conclusion
Stellar performance XB3 comes close to matching the performance of the much-costlier X27. It is much more superior to XV3.