You have come to the right place if you are searching for the best budget 4K monitors under $300.
In the past, 4K monitors used to be exclusive to premium buyers only, but with the advancement in technology, even higher-resolution displays came into the market, making 4K displays cheaper and more affordable for budget buyers.
What is more interesting is that these budget 4K monitors now cost less than $300, which is fantastic, and even a buyer with less money to spend will be able to purchase a 4K monitor to suffice professional needs.
The main benefits of 4K monitors are sharp screen clarity and better screen real estate, which means you will be able to fit more content on the screen resulting in more efficiency while working.
Are Cheap 4K Monitors Worth it?
If you feel the screen space of your current monitor at the office is not that great, and the videos you edit suck because they are not matching today’s standards.
Then a good 4K monitor is a solution to that. Many buyers believe that the 4K displays are expensive, but the reality is that they do not have any idea about the current monitor industry.
The list below will blow your mind because we successfully found the best cheap 4K monitors that cost as low as $200.
Of course, the 4K does not mean the best of all, but if your primary concern revolves around these two terms ‘screen clarity’ & ‘screen real estate’ regardless of whatever you do, then getting a 4K monitor for a cheap price of around $300 is totally worth it.
Top Three Editors’ Favorites
#Best Overall
LG 27UL500-W
Why we like it?
Because the LG 27UL500-W is a complete package for productivity, gaming and entertainment. Its IPS panel is color rich and has wide viewing angles with excellent clarity.
#Best Gaming
ASUS VG289Q1A
Why we like it?
Because the ASUS TUF VG289Q1A offers many gaming features like FreeSync, Shadow Boost, Multiple HDR Mode, Game Plus Technology, Flicker-Free Technology, and Rich Connectivity.
#Best 32-Inch
Samsung UJ59
Why we like it?
Because the Samsung UJ59 offers a large screen for better visibility, and it feels more comfortable for office, entertainment, and gaming. We recommend this monitor for viewing from a distance.
What is the Best 4K Monitor Under $300?
We think the best 4K monitor under $300 is the LG 27UL500-W for productivity, entertainment and gaming. It is a sharp IPS monitor with HDR support and AMD FreeSync.
The best 4K budget monitor under $300 for gaming is ASUS TUF VG289Q1A, which offers Adaptive-Sync / FreeSync and HDR support for gaming.
4K Monitors That Won’t Break The Bank
| 1. LG 27UL500-W | 2. ASUS TUF VG289Q1A | 3. Samsung UJ59 | 4. AOC U2790VQ | 5. Philips 278E1A | 6. Sceptre U275W-UPT | 7. LG 32UL500-W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Best Gaming | Best 32-Inch | Best Budget | Best Video Editing | Cheapest 4K | Honourable Mention |
| | |  |  |  |  |
| 27″ | 28″ | 32″ | 27″ | 27″ | 27″ | 32″ |
| IPS | IPS | VA | IPS | IPS | IPS | IPS |
| 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K |
| 60Hz | 60Hz | 60Hz | 60Hz | 60Hz | 70Hz | 60Hz |
| FreeSync | FreeSync | FreeSync | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | FreeSync |
| ❌ | Speakers | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Speakers | Speakers |
| VESA Mount | VESA Mount | VESA Mount | VESA Mount | ❌ | VESA Mount | VESA Mount |
Best 4K Monitors Under $300 Reviews 2023
Before starting with the list, we recommend that you figure out your requirements first so that it will be easy for you to pick the right one for yourself.
We found all the positives and negatives of these monitors to make this whole buying process easy. Read our reviews of these monitors below and make an informed decision on your next purchase.
#Top 1 lg 27ul500-w
1. Best Overall: LG 27UL500-W
The best 4K monitor under $300 we have tested is the LG 27UL500-W. It is an IPS monitor with AMD FreeSync technology and HDR 10 support.
We highly recommend this monitor for office work, video editing, and tasks that require screen space and clarity.
Best Features
- 27″ UHD IPS Panel
- 98% sRGB
- AMD FreeSync
- HDR 10
- Wall Mountable
The LG 27UL500-W is one of the best budget 4K monitors under $300, and it is highly popular among budget buyers due to its approachable pricing.
This monitor is perfect for you if you do not need an ergonomic stand. However, you can still mount this monitor on the arm for flexibility.
The display is superb, and it has fantastic sharpness and clarity. If you are used to a 1080p monitor, you will notice that the display has better screen real estate allowing you to multitask.
However, one major missing here is speakers, which we think most buyers need, especially in today’s time of video conferencing.
The Good
- Excellent screen real estate
- Visuals look sharp
- Decent peak brightness
The Bad
- Does not have speakers
- Stand has poor ergonomics
| Screen Size | 27-inch |
| Resolution | 3840x2160p |
| PPI | 163 PPI |
| Technology | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Response Time | 5 ms |
| Peak Brightness | 300-nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 |
| VRR | AMD FreeSync |
| Adjustments | Tilt-Only Stand |
| Speakers | N/A |
| Video Ports | 2x HDMI 2.0 1x DisplayPort 1.2 |
| USB & Other Ports | 1x 3.5mm Audio Out |
| VESA Mount Compatible | Yes (100x100mm) |
#Top 2
2. Best Gaming: ASUS TUF VG289Q1A
We think the best 4K gaming monitor under $300 is the ASUS TUF VG289Q1A. It is an IPS gaming monitor with HDR support, 1ms response time, and a 60Hz refresh rate.
The monitor has a limited refresh rate, but that is what you will sacrifice at this price point for better sharpness.
Let me give you a pro tip, 4K resolution is not the best for high refresh rate gaming and it can put your CPU & GPU in stress.
We would recommend getting any of these cheap high refresh rate gaming monitors for the best competitive gaming experience.
Best Features
- 4K UHD IPS Panel
- AMD FreeSync Premium
- HDR 10
- GamePlus Technology
- Rich Connectivity
The ASUS TUF VG289Q1A features an IPS panel with 3840×2160 pixels resolution. It is for high-end gaming but at a limited refresh rate.
Hence, intensive games might not be the best fit for this monitor, but games like GTA 5 and Microsoft Flight Simulator would look gorgeous on this monitor.
The monitor comes loaded with a lot of gaming tech, making the experience even more immersive.
This gaming monitor has 350-nits sufficient peak brightness, but the contrast ratio is not that great.
The viewing angles are excellent, and the colors look good, but the HDR performance is unsatisfactory.
Connectivity ports are ample, and you get dual speakers on this monitor. The stand has a tilt and swivel function, but you do not get a height function with this monitor.
The Good
- Excellent sharpness for gaming
- Loaded with gaming features
- Viewing angles are wide
The Bad
- Limited refresh rate for gaming
- No height function
| Screen Size | 28-inch |
| Resolution | 3840x2160p |
| PPI | 157 PPI |
| Technology | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Response Time | 5 ms |
| Peak Brightness | 350-nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 |
| VRR | AMD FreeSync, Adaptive Sync |
| Adjustments | Tilt & Swivel |
| Speakers | Yes (2x2Watts) |
| Video Ports | 2x HDMI 2.0 1x DisplayPort 1.2 |
| USB & Other Ports | 1x 3.5mm Audio Out |
| VESA Mount Compatible | Yes (100x100mm) |
#Top 3
3. Best 32-Inch: Samsung UJ59
We think the best 32-inch 4K monitor under $300 is the Samsung UJ59. It is a large budget 32-inch monitor with a VA panel, and it is an excellent monitor for entertainment and gaming.
We highly recommend this monitor because the 4K resolution fits better with the large screens.
Best Features
- 4K VA Panel
- Picture-in-Picture
- Picture-by-Picture
- AMD FreeSync
- Game Modes
The Samsung UJ59 has a VA panel which means excellent dark room performance and colors but terrible viewing angles.
IPS monitors comparatively have better viewing angles, so that is something you will trade off here for the sharpness at this price point.
This monitor is a decent choice for entertainment and gaming because it provides a perfect viewing experience and has AMD FreeSync for casual gaming.
The appearance of this large Samsung monitor is highly professional. It has noticeable bezels, which are thin for a large monitor of this size.
The stand has a duo-leg stand which is purposefully designed so that it does not take up much space on the desk.
It offers only a tilt function, but it is VESA mount compatible so that you can mount this monitor on the wall or custom monitor arm.
The Good
- Excellent clarity
- Good dark room performance
- Good build quality
The Bad
- Mediocre viewing angles
- Does not have speakers
| Screen Size | 31.5-inch |
| Resolution | 3840x2160p |
| PPI | 139 PPI |
| Technology | VA |
| Refresh Rate | 75 Hz |
| Response Time | 4 ms |
| Peak Brightness | 270-nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 3000:1 |
| VRR | AMD FreeSync |
| Adjustments | Tilt-Only Stand |
| Speakers | N/A |
| Video Ports | 1x HDMI 1.4 1x HDMI 2.0 1x DisplayPort 1.2 |
| USB & Other Ports | 1x 3.5mm Audio Out |
| VESA Mount Compatible | Yes (100x100mm) |
#Top 4 aoc u2790vq
4. Best Budget: AOC U2790VQ
The best budget 4K monitor under $300 we have tested is the AOC U2790VQ.
It is the cheapest and most affordable 4K monitor on this list, and we highly recommend this monitor to those who are on a tight budget.
This is a perfect monitor for the office because of the eye-care features and sharpness it offers.
Best Features
- 4K IPS Panel
- Frameless Design
- 99% sRGB Color
- Blue Light Filter
- Wall Mountable
Starting with the design, the AOC U2790VQ has a very slim and frameless design, which we think highly suits office spaces, also making it perfect for dual setups.
The stand has a very small circular footprint and holds the monitor perfectly, but it only offers a tilt function. However, you can mount this monitor on a custom monitor arm.
This display is for budget buyers because it is a great multi-purpose monitor for everyone. It is an IPS panel with 3840x2160p resolution for reading texts and documents, and this size is perfect for most users because of the visibility and screen real estate it offers.
The panel is sufficiently bright but not the best for dark rooms because of its mediocre contrast ratio, and it misses out on speakers. Also, you get AMD FreeSync for gaming.
The Good
- Perfect panel for most uses
- Good colors and clarity
- Ideal design for office
The Bad
- Does not have speakers
- Average contrasts
| Screen Size | 27-inch |
| Resolution | 3840x2160p |
| PPI | 163 PPI |
| Technology | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Response Time | 5 ms |
| Peak Brightness | 350-nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 |
| VRR | N/A |
| Adjustments | Tilt-Only Stand |
| Speakers | N/A |
| Video Ports | 1x HDMI 1.4 1x HDMI 2.0 2x DisplayPort 1.2 1x D-Sub |
| USB & Other Ports | 1x 3.5mm Audio Out |
| VESA Mount Compatible | Yes (100x100mm) |
#Top 5
5. Best For Video Editing: Philips 278E1A
The best 4K monitor under $300 for video-photo editing is Philips 278E1A because it can display more colors and has wide SDR color coverage of 109% sRGB.
The IPS monitors have rich colors, but some monitors have wide color coverage, which is why we highly recommend this 4K monitor for video editing.
Best Features
- 4K UHD IPS Panel
- 109% sRGB Color
- Smart Contrast
- 1 Billion+ Colors
- Built-in Speakers
The Philips 278E1A is an IPS monitor for video editing and content creation. Its panel has 109% sRGB color coverage with super wide viewing angles making it our top recommended monitor for creative professionals.
The panel has 350-nits peak brightness, which is more than sufficient for SDR editing in a well-lit room.
However, ensure that the monitor is not placed in front of a window or lights. The refresh rate, however, is very limited to 60Hz, which is common among all budget 4K monitors.
Its stand has a unique design but only offers a disappointing tilt function.
The Good
- Wide SDR color coverage
- Good design with thin bezels
- 4-year warranty
The Bad
- No FreeSync
| Screen Size | 27-inch |
| Resolution | 3840x2160p |
| PPI | 163 PPI |
| Technology | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Response Time | 4 ms |
| Peak Brightness | 350-nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 |
| VRR | N/A |
| Adjustments | Tilt-Only Stand |
| Speakers | Yes (2x 3Watts) |
| Video Ports | 2x HDMI 2.0 1x DisplayPort 1.2 |
| USB & Other Ports | 1x 3.5mm Audio Out |
| VESA Mount Compatible | Yes (100x100mm) |
#Top 6
6. Cheapest 4K: Sceptre U275W-UPT
The cheapest 4K monitor you can get on the market is the Sceptre U275W-UPT. It is a sharp UHD monitor with IPS panel that offers 99% sRGB color coverage, 75Hz refresh rate, and a pair of built-in speakers.
Do not expect good build quality from this monitor, but if you only care about the display performance, this is an excellent option for your professional needs.
Best Features
- 4K UHD IPS Panel
- 99% sRGB Color
- 75Hz Refresh Rate
- Blue Light Shift
- Built-in Speakers
The Sceptre U275W-FPT features an IPS panel with wide viewing angles that makes it suitable for varying professional needs like office work, photo-video editing.
It also suits trading setups because of the excellent screen real estate of its display that lets you fit more content on the screen.
The visuals appear super clear and colorful on this monitor, but the ergonomics are very poor as the stand only offers tilt function.
Surprisingly, this cheap 4K monitor can reach up to max 75Hz refresh rate, unlike other monitors on this list that have 60Hz refresh rate only.
The chassis is thin, and the stand does not seem to be very stable, but it has a pair of built-i speakers along with three HDMI ports and a single DisplayPort for video connectivity.
The Good
- Good cheap 4K display
- Rich connectivity
- Offers built-in speakers
The Bad
- Flimsy build quality
| Screen Size | 27-inch |
| Resolution | 3840x2160p |
| PPI | 163 PPI |
| Technology | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 70 Hz |
| Response Time | 5 ms |
| Peak Brightness | 350-nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 |
| VRR | N/A |
| Adjustments | Tilt-Only Stand |
| Speakers | Yes (2x 2Watts) |
| Video Ports | 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x HDMI 1.4 1x DisplayPort 1.2 |
| USB & Other Ports | 1x 3.5mm Audio Out |
| VESA Mount Compatible | Yes (100x100mm) |
#Top 7
7. Honourable Mention: LG 32UL500-W
The LG 32UL500-W is one of the best 4K monitors under $300. We shortlisted this monitor here because we do not want you to miss out on this while considering options.
It is a 32-inch 4K monitor with a VA panel for entertainment and console gaming.
Best Features
- 1080p IPS Panel
- Automatic Brightness
- Built-in Speakers
- Wide Viewing Angles
- VESA Mount
If your top priority is a large budget 4K monitor for entertainment purposes, the LG 32UL500-W is an excellent choice.
A VA panel backs the monitor, giving you vibrant colors with an excellent contrast ratio resulting in fantastic dark room performance.
The monitor is HDR 10 certified, and that boosts the brightness to a couple of nits more.
It offers AMD FreeSync for gaming and has sufficient connectivity ports for keeping the PC and your gaming console connected.
Apart from that, the monitor has good sounding dual 5 watts speakers, which are great for media consumption.
The response time and input lag are also low, so if you want an immersive casual gaming experience, the LG 32UL500-W is an excellent choice for that.
The Good
- Good visibility from a distance
- Sharp and detailed image
- Also has gaming features
The Bad
- Mediocre viewing angles
| Screen Size | 31.5-inch |
| Resolution | 3840x2160p |
| PPI | 139 PPI |
| Technology | VA |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Response Time | 4 ms |
| Peak Brightness | 300-nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 3000:1 |
| VRR | AMD FreeSync |
| Adjustments | Tilt-Only Stand |
| Speakers | Yes (2x5Watts) |
| Connectivity Ports | 2x HDMI 2.0 1x DisplayPort 1.2 |
| USB & Other Ports | 1x 3.5mm Audio Out |
| VESA Mount Compatible | Yes (100x100mm) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good size monitor for 4K?
Is 32-inch monitor good for 4K?
Is it worth getting 4K monitor?
Is 2560×1440 a 4K monitor?
That’s a Wrap!
We are sure our recommended monitors are the best in the industry. When looking for the best 4K monitor under $300, you would not find better options than this because these monitors have the most positive customer reviews on the Internet.
Not all monitors are perfect because of the budget constraint, but we think all you should focus on for this price is the display.
Considering stuff other than display will cost you a couple of dollars more. You do not get good ergonomics or a high refresh rate on these monitors, but you can overcome that problem by mounting the monitor on an arm.
4K monitors with high refresh rate will cost you a fortune, but scaling down the resolution from your considerations will open up many options for you.
