It is usual to get confused while purchasing a monitor from the industry, considering the range of options available today. The price is a significant factor for any purchase, and to get the most value for your money, hours of research are required.
However, we have made this process straightforward by doing the research for you, so if you have a specific budget in mind and looking for the best monitors under $250 then here are our top three picks.
#Best 4K
LG 27UL500-W
Why we like it?
Because the LG 27UL500-W offers 4K resolution for a super approachable price of under $250, and it offers excellent screen clarity and space.
#Best Ultrawide
LG 29WP60G-B
Why we like it?
Because the LG 29WP60G-B offers an ultrawide screen, it allows you to multitask at a much better efficiency rate than any monitor on this list.
#Best Curved
ASUS VG328H1B
Why we like it?
Because the ASUS VG328H1B offers a massive curved screen for gaming and entertainment that lets you indulge in the scene with utmost immersion.
What is the Best Monitor Under $250?
We think the best monitor under $250 is the LG 27UL500-W because it is a 4K monitor, the highest screen resolution level you can get in this price range. If gaming and multitasking are your top priority, consider the LG 29WP60G-B and ASUS TUF VG328H1B.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
| 1. LG 27UL500-W | 2. LG 29WP60G-B | 3. ASUS VG328H1B | 4. ViewSonic VX3276-MHD | 5. LG 27QN600-B | 6. HP VH240a | 7. Sceptre C305B-200UN1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best 4K | Best Ultrawide | Best Curved | Best 32″ | Best 27″ | Best 24″ | Honourable Mention |
| | |  |  |  |  |
| 27″ | 29″ | 32″ | 32″ | 27″ | 24″ | 30″ |
| IPS | IPS | VA | IPS | IPS | IPS | VA |
| 4K | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p | 1440p | 1080p | 1080p |
| 60Hz | 75Hz | 165Hz | 75Hz | 75Hz | 60Hz | 200Hz |
| FreeSync | FreeSync | FreeSync & G-Sync | ❌ | FreeSync | ❌ | FreeSync |
| ❌ | ❌ | Speakers | Speakers | ❌ | Speakers | Speakers |
| VESA Mount | VESA Mount | VESA Mount | VESA Mount | VESA Mount | VESA Mount | VESA Mount |
Best Monitors Under $250 Reviews 2022
We researched a lot and gathered thousands of customer reviews. Out of many options, only these monitors made it to the list because of their popularity and positive reviews. We studied the specifications and gave each monitor a title so that it would be easy for you guys to pick the best one for yourself.
#Top 1 LG 27UL500-W best monitor under $300
1. Best 4K: LG 27UL500-W
The best 4K monitor we have tested under $250 is the LG 27UL500-W. It provides superior screen clarity and space than any monitor on this list, so if that is your top concern, then it is a great choice. It misses out on speakers though, which is not a big deal.
Best Features
- 27″ UHD IPS Panel
- 98% sRGB
- AMD FreeSync
- HDR 10
- Wall Mountable
The LG 27UL500-W is a 4K monitor for office, productivity, and document handling. It can also do gaming, but gaming at 4K resolution requires a super high-configured rig. The refresh rate is limited to 60Hz only, and if you are a sucker for a high refresh rate, then you will have to sacrifice screen resolution at this budget.
I would only purchase this monitor if my primary requirement were for office, programming, content production, or entertainment because of the screen real estate it offers. I will be able to fit more content on the screen of this monitor than any monitor on this list. It does not have an adjustable stand, but these are little sacrifices that you would face for the high-resolution screen.
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 |
| Connectivity Ports | 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 1x 3.5mm Audio Out |
| VESA Mount Compatible | Yes (100x100mm) |
#Top 2
2. Best Ultrawide: LG 29WP60G-B
The best ultrawide monitor under $250 we have tested is the LG 29WP60G-B. It is a 29-inch monitor with an ultrawide form factor for multitasking and gaming. The monitor has FreeSync, but it does not have built-in speakers. We recommend this monitor highly if your top priority is multitasking and video editing.
Best Features
- 1440p IPS Panel
- 144Hz Refresh Rate
- 1ms Response Time
- Nvidia G-Sync
- HDR 10 Certified
The LG 29WP60G-B comes with an IPS panel under the hood with a 2560x1080p resolution, resulting in 96 PPI on the 30-inch screen size. The screen clarity on this monitor would be the same as a 1080p monitor. Still, it is decently sharp. It covers 99% sRGB, so the colors and saturation are on point. No complaints about that.
The monitor has a USB Type-C port with DP Alt Mode, which is excellent for MacBook and USB-C powered laptops. Moreover, the monitor comes with plenty of features for gaming and office. It eliminates the need for dual monitors by giving enough space on a single one.
The Good
- Excellent screen space
- USB-C adds convenience
- Plenty of features
The Bad
- Does not have speakers
- Mediocre black uniformity
| Screen Size | 29-inch |
| Resolution | 2560x1080p |
| PPI | 96 PPI |
| Technology | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 75 Hz |
| Response Time | 5 ms |
| Peak Brightness | 250-nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 |
| VRR | AMD FreeSync |
| Adjustments | Tilt-Only Stand |
| Speakers | N/A |
| Connectivity Ports | 1x USB (Type-C, DP Alt Mode), 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x 3.5mm Audio Out |
| VESA Mount Compatible | Yes (100x100mm) |
#Top 3
3. Best Curved: ASUS TUF VG328H1B
The best-curved monitor under $250 we have tested is the ASUS VG328H1B. It is a large 32-inch monitor with a VA panel and 1080p resolution. The monitor supports FreeSync and G-Sync and has built-in speakers for hearing audio. However, we only recommend this monitor if your top priority is gaming and entertainment.
Best Features
- 1500R Curve Design
- 165Hz Refresh Rate
- FreeSync Premium
- GamePlus Technology
- Extreme Low Motion Blur
The ASUS VG328H1B is a big-sized 32-inch monitor with a 1500R curved design. A VA panel backs the monitor with excellent dark room performance but mediocre viewing angles. I would personally prefer IPS monitors over any, but this is an excellent deal for the price.
It is excellent for gaming, considering the number of features and motion-handling tech it offers. Budget gamers will be delighted with this monitor because the 1080p does not demand much power. Also, the curved screen provides maximum immersion. Its stand provides tilt and swivel functions, but I think the height function benefits more than the swivel.
The Good
- Fantastic motion handling
- Has a ton of gaming features
- Excellent low input lag
The Bad
- Does not have height function
- Mediocre viewing angles
- Poor text clarity
| Screen Size | 31.5-inch |
| Resolution | 1920x1080p |
| PPI | 69 PPI |
| Technology | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 165 Hz |
| Response Time | 1 ms |
| Peak Brightness | 250-nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 3000:1 |
| VRR | Nvidia G-Sync, Adaptive Sync |
| Adjustments | Tilt & Height |
| Speakers | Yes (2x 2Watts) |
| Connectivity Ports | 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x D-Sub, 1x 3.5mm Audio In & Out |
| VESA Mount Compatible | Yes (100x100mm) |
#Top 4 best 32-inch monitors best monitor with speakers
4. Best 32-inch: ViewSonic VX3276-MHD
The best 32-inch monitor under $250 we have tasted is the ViewSonic VX3276-MHD. It is a large monitor with a 1080p screen resolution intended for office and entertainment. The monitor has built-in speakers but does not have FreeSync, and the stand has poor ergonomics.
Best Features
- 1080p IPS Panel
- Ultra-Slim Design
- Eye-Care Technology
- Versatile Connectivity
- Built-in Speakers
The ViewSonic VX3276-MHD is a basic monitor for office and productivity purposes. It houses an IPS panel with 1920x1080p resolution, resulting in a poor 69 PPI on the 32-inch screen. The text clarity is poor on this monitor, so I would only recommend this monitor if you put it at a distance because the visibility of this monitor is excellent.
The design of ViewSonic VX3276-MHD is very elegant, and it highly suits corporate spaces. Its bezels are super thin with a silver finish on the stand. Unfortunately, it only offers tilt function, but you get VESA mounting holes on this monitor.
The Good
- Excellent visibility
- Premium design and feel
- Super wide viewing angles
The Bad
- Poor text clarity
- Does not get much bright
- Blacks appear gray
| Screen Size | 31.5-inch |
| Resolution | 1920x1080p |
| PPI | 69 PPI |
| Technology | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 75 Hz |
| Response Time | 8 ms |
| Peak Brightness | 250-nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 |
| VRR | N/A |
| Adjustments | Tilt-Only Stand |
| Speakers | Yes (2x 2Watts) |
| Connectivity Ports | 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 1x D-Sub, 1x 3.5mm Audio Out & In |
| VESA Mount Compatible | Yes (100x100mm) |
#Top 5
5. Best 27-inch: LG 27QN600-B
The best 27-inch monitor under $250 we have tested is the LG 27QN600-B. It is a 1440p monitor for work, casual gaming, and entertainment. We highly recommend this monitor if you want a 27-inch display for work and office requirements.
Best Features
- 1440p IPS Panel
- 99% sRGB
- AMD FreeSync
- HDR 10
- Color-Calibrated
The LG 27QN600-B houses an IPS panel with 2560x1440p resolution resulting in decent text clarity and space on the 27-inch screen. It is an IPS panel with wide viewing angles and excellent colors. The panel has AMD FreeSync and is HDR 10 certified, but honestly, there is not much benefit of HDR.
The monitor has a black frame suiting the corporate and minimal spaces, but the stand offers tilt function only. We trust LG panels a lot, and that is why we recommend this monitor to professionals who are looking for a reliable office monitor
The Good
- Excellent viewing angles
- Decent screen real estate
- High-quality IPS panel
The Bad
- Blacks look gray
- Does not have speakers
| Screen Size | 27-inch |
| Resolution | 2560x1440p |
| PPI | 109 PPI |
| Technology | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 75 Hz |
| Response Time | 5 ms |
| Peak Brightness | 350-nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 |
| VRR | AMD FreeSync |
| Adjustments | Tilt-Only Stand |
| Speakers | N/A |
| Connectivity Ports | 2x HDMI 1.4, 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 1x 3.5mm Audio Out |
| VESA Mount Compatible | Yes (100x100mm) |
#Top 6 HP VH240a
6. Best 24-inch: HP VH240a
The best 24-inch monitor under $250 we have tested is the HP VH240a. It is an IPS monitor for productivity and programming purposes. The main highlight of this monitor is its fully adjustable stand lets you adjust this monitor vertically. It also has built-in speakers for hearing audio right out of the box.
Best Features
- 1080p IPS Panel
- Wide Viewing Angles
- Vertical Orientation
- Integrated Audio
- VESA Mounting
The HP VH240a houses an IPS panel with 1920×1080 pixels resolution. It provides decent sharpness, and the texts appear super crisp. While you can get a 4K monitor for under $250, but it would not have good ergonomics like on the HP VH240a. It offers height, tilt, and pivot functions making it great ergonomically.
We like this monitor’s design a lot because it looks so professional, and the mechanism of this monitor feels very smooth and easy to adjust. There is a cable management hole on the stand to route the cables. But the question should you buy this monitor? Well, it is not a bad monitor by any means, so if you need a monitor with good ergonomics in this price range, get it.
The Good
- Decent ergonomics
- Clear & crisp display
- Stable and solid stand
The Bad
- Mediocre peak brightness
- Blacks appear gray in dark
| Screen Size | 24-inch |
| Resolution | 1920x1080p |
| PPI | 93 PPI |
| Technology | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Response Time | 5 ms |
| Peak Brightness | 250-nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 |
| VRR | N/A |
| Adjustments | Tilt, Height, Pivot |
| Speakers | Yes (2x 2Watts) |
| Connectivity Ports | 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x VGA |
| VESA Mount Compatible | Yes (100x100mm) |
#Top 7 Sceptre C305B-200UN
7. Honourable Mention: Sceptre C305B-200UN
We had to mention this monitor on this list because it has a lot of positive customer reviews. The Sceptre C305B-200UN1 has excellent specifications, making it one of the best monitors under $250 for gaming, video editing, and office.
Best Features
- 21:9 Aspect Ratio
- 200Hz Refresh Rate
- Curved VA Panel
- AMD FreeSync
- Built-in Speakers
The Sceptre C305B-200UN1 is a gaming monitor with a curved VA panel for gaming. It has a max 200Hz refresh rate, 1 ms response time, and AMD FreeSync, which is a dream come true for any gamer at such an affordable price, not to forget the ultrawide-curved form factor.
We love the smoothness of this monitor. While motion handling is not that great, but the overall gaming experience is enjoyable on this monitor. This is an excellent ultrawide monitor with a high refresh rate for video editors. The colors are great, and the contrasts are deep, the only thing that disappoints is the viewing angles.
The Good
- Excellent refresh rate
- Fantastic dark-room usage
- Gets satisfactory bright
The Bad
- Average viewing angles
- Motion handling is not that great
| Screen Size | 29.5-inch |
| Resolution | 2560x1080p |
| PPI | 94 PPI |
| Technology | VA |
| Refresh Rate | 200 Hz |
| Response Time | 5 ms |
| Peak Brightness | 350-nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 3000:1 |
| VRR | AMD FreeSync Premium |
| Adjustments | Tilt-Only Stand |
| Speakers | Yes (2x 3Watts) |
| Connectivity Ports | 2x HDMI 1.4, 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 1x 3.5mm Audio Out |
| VESA Mount Compatible | Yes (75x75mm) |
That’s a Wrap!
The good news is that even a budget price of $250 can get you a 4K monitor, 1440p high refresh rate gaming monitors, and decent ultrawide displays. It is a sweet spot for budget buyers, and we think it is an excellent spot for those who do not want to spend much and need a high-resolution professional display. Still, getting a decent monitor with good ergonomics in this price range is challenging.
That’s it for this buying guide. If you have any queries, do comment down, and I will be happy to answer.
