Finding a high-quality gaming monitor under $500 can be challenging, but it’s entirely possible to get great features without breaking the bank. From high refresh rates and low response times to vibrant colors and crisp resolutions, these gaming monitors offer everything you need for an immersive gaming experience at a price that won’t empty your wallet. Here are the 5 best gaming monitors under $500 available on Amazon, perfect for both casual and competitive gamers.
The 5 Best Gaming Monitors Under $500 At A Glance:
1. ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ 27-Inch Monitor
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ is a highly regarded option for gamers seeking a balance between performance and price. With a 27-inch WQHD (2560×1440) IPS display, it offers stunning visuals, while its 165Hz refresh rate ensures smooth gameplay, especially in fast-paced games like first-person shooters. The 1ms response time minimizes motion blur, and it supports both G-SYNC and FreeSync, making it an excellent choice for those with either NVIDIA or AMD graphics cards.
Key Features:
- Resolution: WQHD (2560×1440)
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Panel Type: IPS
- Adaptive Sync: G-SYNC and FreeSync
- Connectivity: HDMI, DisplayPort
Why It’s Great: The ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ combines high resolution and refresh rate with adaptive sync support, offering an ultra-smooth gaming experience for under $500. It’s ideal for gamers who want to balance visual quality with competitive gaming performance.
2. Acer Predator XB271HU 27-Inch Gaming Monitor
The Acer Predator XB271HU offers premium features at a competitive price. This 27-inch WQHD monitor boasts an IPS panel that provides rich, vibrant colors and wide viewing angles, perfect for visually demanding games. Its 144Hz refresh rate (overclockable to 165Hz) and 4ms response time ensure smooth and responsive gameplay. The monitor is G-SYNC compatible, eliminating screen tearing for NVIDIA users, which makes it a great choice for gamers with high-end gaming rigs.
Key Features:
- Resolution: WQHD (2560×1440)
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz (overclockable to 165Hz)
- Response Time: 4ms
- Panel Type: IPS
- Adaptive Sync: G-SYNC
- Connectivity: HDMI, DisplayPort, USB hub
Why It’s Great: The Acer Predator XB271HU is perfect for gamers who want an immersive, color-rich display paired with high refresh rates and G-SYNC compatibility. It’s ideal for both single-player experiences and competitive gaming.
3. LG UltraGear 27GL83A-B 27-Inch Gaming Monitor
The LG UltraGear 27GL83A-B is another excellent gaming monitor that punches above its weight in terms of performance and price. It features a QHD (2560×1440) resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring fluid motion in action-packed games. The 1ms response time minimizes motion blur, making it ideal for fast-paced competitive gaming. This monitor also supports NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync, giving gamers with both types of GPUs the benefit of adaptive sync technology.
Key Features:
- Resolution: QHD (2560×1440)
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Panel Type: IPS
- Adaptive Sync: G-SYNC and FreeSync
- Connectivity: HDMI, DisplayPort
Why It’s Great: With its 1ms response time, LG UltraGear 27GL83A-B is one of the best gaming monitors under $500 for fast-paced, competitive gamers. Its compatibility with both G-SYNC and FreeSync makes it versatile for a wide range of gaming setups.
4. MSI Optix MAG272CQR 27-Inch Curved Gaming Monitor
If you prefer an immersive curved display, the MSI G27C4X is an excellent choice. This 27-inch monitor features a 1500R curve that wraps the screen around your field of vision, enhancing immersion in games. The FHD resolution and 250Hz refresh rate deliver crystal-clear visuals and ultra-smooth gameplay. It also comes with a 1ms response time and FreeSync support, which makes it perfect for fast-paced gaming while eliminating screen tearing and stuttering.
Key Features:
- Resolution: FHD (1920×1080)
- Refresh Rate: 250Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Panel Type: VA (Curved)
- Adaptive Sync: FreeSync
- Curve: 1500R curvature
- Connectivity: HDMI, DisplayPort, USB
Why It’s Great: The MSI Optix MAG272CQR offers a deeply immersive gaming experience thanks to its curved design and vibrant QHD display. Gamers who enjoy RPGs, simulation, or racing games will appreciate the added depth and smooth visuals.
5. Gigabyte G27Q 27-Inch Gaming Monitor
The Gigabyte G27Q is a feature-packed gaming monitor offering excellent performance for under $500. It boasts a QHD (2560×1440) resolution with a 144Hz refresh rate, providing smooth and crisp visuals for fast-paced games. With a 1ms response time, the G27Q ensures minimal motion blur, making it perfect for competitive gaming. It supports both AMD FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA G-SYNC, eliminating screen tearing and stuttering. The monitor also includes VESA DisplayHDR 400, which enhances brightness, contrast, and color accuracy for a more immersive visual experience.
Key Features:
- Resolution: QHD (2560×1440)
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Panel Type: IPS
- Adaptive Sync: FreeSync Premium and G-SYNC compatible
- HDR: VESA DisplayHDR 400
- Connectivity: HDMI, DisplayPort, USB hub
Why It’s Great: The Gigabyte G27Q offers a great balance of performance and features, including adaptive sync support and HDR capabilities, making it an excellent choice for gamers who want high-quality visuals and smooth gameplay without exceeding their budget. delivers excellent gaming performance with fast response times and adaptive sync support. Its HDR capabilities make it perfect for visually stunning games, while the high refresh rate ensures smooth gameplay for competitive gamers.
What to Look for in a Gaming Monitor Under $500
When searching for the best gaming monitor under $500, consider the following factors:
- Resolution: A QHD (2560×1440) resolution is ideal for a 27-inch display, offering sharp visuals without straining your GPU like 4K.
- Refresh Rate: A higher refresh rate, 144Hz or more, ensures smoother motion, which is critical for fast-paced games like shooters.
- Response Time: Monitors with 1ms to 4ms response times minimize motion blur, providing a clear gaming experience, especially in fast-action games.
- Adaptive Sync: G-SYNC and FreeSync prevent screen tearing, ensuring a smoother, more responsive gaming experience. Make sure to get a monitor that supports your GPU.
- Panel Type: IPS panels provide better color accuracy and viewing angles, while VA panels offer deeper blacks and higher contrast. TN panels are typically faster but have poorer
color accuracy and viewing angles.
- Curved vs. Flat: Curved monitors, like the MSI Optix, enhance immersion, especially for wide aspect ratio games, while flat monitors are better for competitive gaming due to less distortion at the edges.
Final Thoughts
These 5 best gaming monitors under $500 offer a range of features from high refresh rates and fast response times to immersive visuals and adaptive sync support. Whether you’re into competitive eSports or prefer immersive single-player experiences, each monitor on this list provides excellent value for the price. Consider your gaming style and hardware setup when choosing the best option for your needs, and you’ll be well on your way to a top-notch gaming experience!
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