Buying Guide
The Best 1080p Gaming Monitors Under $200
Five monitors ranked on refresh rate and screen size, where the AW2525HM has the highest refresh rate; the VG259QM5A is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A fast 1080p monitor costs little and pairs with any modern GPU. Every pick is 1080p at 144Hz or more and cost $200 or less, ordered by refresh rate.
We ranked these monitors on refresh rate, resolution and size using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves out response, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Fastest Refresh
Alienware AW2525HM
The highest refresh rate here (320Hz).
Best for: Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Our take Check price for Alienware AW2525HM (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMR5A
A 310Hz refresh rate for esports.
Best for: Buyers who want 310Hz refresh rate for esports.
Our take Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMR5A (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM5A
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM5A (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Dell 27 SE2726HG 240Hz
240Hz on a 27-inch 1080p panel.
Best for: Buyers who want 240Hz on a 27-inch 1080p panel.
Our take Check price for Dell 27 SE2726HG 240Hz (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ASUS TUF Gaming VG279QM5A
A 27-inch 1080p panel at 240Hz.
Best for: Buyers who want 27-inch 1080p panel at 240Hz.
Our take Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG279QM5A (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest refresh rate here (320Hz). | Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates. | Check price for Alienware AW2525HM (opens in a new tab) |
| A 310Hz refresh rate for esports. | Buyers who want 310Hz refresh rate for esports. | Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMR5A (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM5A (opens in a new tab) |
| 240Hz on a 27-inch 1080p panel. | Buyers who want 240Hz on a 27-inch 1080p panel. | Check price for Dell 27 SE2726HG 240Hz (opens in a new tab) |
| A 27-inch 1080p panel at 240Hz. | Buyers who want 27-inch 1080p panel at 240Hz. | Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG279QM5A (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Fastest Refresh1 of 5
Alienware AW2525HM on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Alienware's AW2525HM runs a 24.5-inch 1080p IPS panel at 320Hz with 99% sRGB coverage.
Best for
- Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the VG259QM5A cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It targets competitive shooters on a mid-range PC. Its 320Hz refresh rate is the highest here; the VG259QMR5A comes next at 310Hz. On screen size it ties with the VG259QMR5A and the VG259QM5A at 24.5 inches.
No other pick in this guide offers an IPS panel; compare the SE2726HG, which has a fast IPS panel. It also comes with a 0.5ms response time and Alienware styling at a mid price tier. At 1080p, 320Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older.
G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the VG279QM5A and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 320Hz
- Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size: 24.5 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Response: 0.5ms
- Color gamut: 99% sRGB
- Adaptive sync: G-SYNC Compatible
Pros
- a 320Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 99% sRGB colour coverage
- G-SYNC Compatible to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Costs more than the VG259QM5A at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMR5A on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The VG259QMR5A is the esports pick, with a 310Hz Fast IPS panel at 1080p and a 3-year warranty.
Best for
- Buyers who want 310Hz refresh rate for esports.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the VG259QM5A, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The 24.5-inch fast IPS panel overclocks to 310Hz and lists a 0.3ms response, with FreeSync Premium and G-Sync compatibility. Its 310Hz refresh rate ranks second of 5 here, behind the AW2525HM (320Hz) and ahead of the VG279QM5A (240Hz). On screen size it ties with the AW2525HM and the VG259QM5A at 24.5 inches.
At 1080p, 310Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older. G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper SE2726HG and the pricier VG279QM5A, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 310Hz
- Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size: 24.5 inches
- Panel: Fast IPS
- Response: 0.3ms
- Color gamut: 99% sRGB
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync Premium, G-SYNC Compatible
- Warranty: 3-year
Pros
- a 310Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 99% sRGB colour coverage
- FreeSync Premium, G-SYNC Compatible to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Costs more than the VG259QM5A at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 5
ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM5A on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The VG259QM5A drops TUF's 24.5-inch panel to 240Hz and keeps 99% sRGB coverage and a three-year warranty.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Skip it if screen size matters most to you; the SE2726HG offers 27 inches.
Why we like it
It costs less than the 310Hz versions. It matches the SE2726HG and the VG279QM5A on refresh rate (240Hz). On screen size it ties with the AW2525HM and the VG259QMR5A at 24.5 inches.
At 1080p, 240Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older. G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. Worth noting too: a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles.
It undercut the SE2726HG and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The trade-off is screen size; for more, the SE2726HG comes in at 27 inches.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 240Hz
- Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size: 24.5 inches
- Panel: Fast IPS
- Color gamut: 99% sRGB
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync Premium, G-SYNC Compatible
- Warranty: 3-year
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 99% sRGB colour coverage
- FreeSync Premium, G-SYNC Compatible to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Screen size trails the SE2726HG (27 inches)
Strong Alternative4 of 5
Dell 27 SE2726HG 240Hz on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Dell's SE2726HG runs a 27-inch 1080p Fast IPS panel at 240Hz with 99% sRGB coverage.
Best for
- Buyers who want 240Hz on a 27-inch 1080p panel.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the VG259QM5A, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is a big-screen route to 240Hz for less. FreeSync Premium and HDMI VRR cover both PC and console play. It lists 240Hz, a 0.5ms response, FreeSync Premium with HDMI VRR and 99% sRGB coverage on a fast IPS panel.
It matches the VG259QM5A and the VG279QM5A on refresh rate (240Hz). On screen size it ties with the VG279QM5A at 27 inches. At 1080p, 240Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older.
Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the VG259QM5A at the time of writing. Its price falls between the VG259QM5A and the VG259QMR5A, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 240Hz
- Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: Fast IPS
- Color gamut: 99% sRGB
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 99% sRGB colour coverage
- 240Hz on a 27-inch 1080p panel
Cons
- Costs more than the VG259QM5A at the time of writing
Worth a Look5 of 5
ASUS TUF Gaming VG279QM5A on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The VG279QM5A is built around a 27-inch 1080p panel at 240Hz, with a 3-year warranty on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want 27-inch 1080p panel at 240Hz.
Skip if
- Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the AW2525HM offers 320Hz.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 240Hz refresh rate and offers a 27 inches screen size. It matches the VG259QM5A and the SE2726HG on refresh rate (240Hz). It also offers 99% sRGB coverage.
At 1080p, 240Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older. G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper VG259QMR5A and the pricier AW2525HM, at the time of writing. The trade-off is refresh rate; for more, the AW2525HM offers 320Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 240Hz
- Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: Fast IPS
- Color gamut: 99% sRGB
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync Premium, G-SYNC Compatible
- Warranty: 3-year
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 99% sRGB colour coverage
- FreeSync Premium, G-SYNC Compatible to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Refresh rate trails the AW2525HM (320Hz)
- Costs more than the VG259QM5A at the time of writing
How We Chose These 1080p Gaming Monitors Under $200
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We lined up five monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the AW2525HM to the VG279QM5A, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution and 99% sRGB color gamut.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The VG259QM5A, the SE2726HG and the VG279QM5A give no response; the SE2726HG gives no adaptive sync.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the VG259QM5A ($100 to $150) to the AW2525HM ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a 1080p Gaming Monitor Under $200
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much refresh rate you need
Here refresh rate runs from 240Hz on the VG279QM5A to 320Hz on the AW2525HM. The VG259QMR5A comes second for less money.
Screen size
Here screen size runs from 24.5 inches on the VG259QM5A to 27 inches on the SE2726HG. The SE2726HG is the pick for screen size.
Response
The AW2525HM lists 0.5ms; the VG259QMR5A lists 0.3ms.
Extras that separate them
The VG259QMR5A: a 310Hz refresh rate for esports. The VG259QM5A: a 3-year warranty. The SE2726HG: PC and console tear-free play.
How much to spend
$100 to $150 buys the VG259QM5A and the SE2726HG; $150 to $250 buys the VG259QMR5A, the VG279QM5A and the AW2525HM at our last check.
How to Choose a 1080p Gaming Monitor Under $200
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates | AW2525HM | The highest refresh rate here (320Hz) |
| Buyers who want 310Hz refresh rate for esports | VG259QMR5A | A 310Hz refresh rate for esports |
| Spending as little as possible | VG259QM5A | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want 240Hz on a 27-inch 1080p panel | SE2726HG | 240Hz on a 27-inch 1080p panel |
| Buyers who want 27-inch 1080p panel at 240Hz | VG279QM5A | A 27-inch 1080p panel at 240Hz |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The AW2525HM leads on refresh rate at 320Hz, ahead of the VG259QMR5A at 310Hz.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AW2525HM | 320Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 24.5 inches | IPS |
| VG259QMR5A | 310Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 24.5 inches | Fast IPS |
| VG259QM5A | 240Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 24.5 inches | Fast IPS |
| SE2726HG | 240Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 27 inches | Fast IPS |
| VG279QM5A | 240Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 27 inches | Fast IPS |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The VG259QM5A was the lowest-priced pick and the AW2525HM the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | VG259QM5A, SE2726HG |
| About $150 to $250 | VG259QMR5A, VG279QM5A, AW2525HM |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the AW2525HM ahead of the VG259QMR5A on refresh rate?
The AW2525HM leads at 320Hz, with the VG259QMR5A at 310Hz. The VG279QM5A is at the other end of this group with 240Hz.
What does the AW2525HM add over the VG259QM5A?
On paper it adds refresh rate (320Hz against 240Hz). The VG259QM5A was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the AW2525HM our Fastest Refresh pick?
It earns the label for the highest refresh rate here (320Hz). It suits esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Do the AW2525HM and the VG259QMR5A differ on panel?
The AW2525HM uses IPS; the VG259QMR5A, the VG259QM5A, the SE2726HG and the VG279QM5A use Fast IPS.
What extras do the AW2525HM and the VG259QMR5A include?
The AW2525HM: 320Hz at 1080p. The VG259QMR5A: a 310Hz refresh rate for esports. The VG259QM5A: 240Hz at 1080p.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the AW2525HM. Look at the VG259QMR5A for a 310Hz refresh rate for esports, the VG259QM5A for the lowest price of the group at our last check and the SE2726HG for 240Hz on a 27-inch 1080p panel if those matter more to you.
Plug in with DisplayPort and set the refresh rate in Windows.