Back in the day when we used old and robust CRT monitors that we couldn’t even lift, hardware was the only thing that ensured smooth and lag-free gameplay. However, with the inception of high-quality LCD monitors, things started to take a different turn. Regardless of your favorite game genre, your PC specs and your gameplay skills aren’t going to guarantee a clear win. But, the addition of a decent gaming monitor that packs some kick-ass specs probably will.
Gamers are the most spoiled human species on the planet. Yes, it’s a bold statement but I’m also a passionate gamer, so I can attest to this. We want cheap, yet high-quality gaming peripherals. We want to spend as little as we can and achieve great results in our gaming sessions. If you’re one of them spoiled gamers, you’ve come to the right place because we’re going to list a couple of great gaming monitors under $100.
Grab your cup of coffee and let’s get straight into the nitty-gritty of the article.
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ASUS VS228H-P
Img source: amazon.com
When it comes to gaming, ASUS is one of the most popular companies, thanks to its hardcore ROG series. But, as we assume that your wallets aren’t so deep and full, we’ll need to pull a handbrake and stop at $100. Just a couple of bucks below this price comfortably sits the best gaming monitor in our opinion – ASUS VS228H-P. Coming at 22 inches, this monitor isn’t going to blow you away with its size. But, the size sometimes doesn’t matter, as this budget beauty packs 5 milliseconds of response time, 50:1 contrast ratio, and on top of that, an HDMI port, which is a necessity these days.
The resolution is 1920×1080, which is expected at this price range. As for the design, it’s nothing exceptional but functional enough. The bottom right side comes with navigational buttons and the back panel is packs HDMI, DVI, and VGA ports from left to right. One glaring issue with this monitor is that the bezels aren’t that slim, so the design is a bit old-school. On the brighter side, the image quality is exceptional, thanks to the smart view technology.
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Acer HA220Q bi 21.5
Img source: walmart.com
If you want a modern, slim, and elegant design that’s not going to cost you a fortune, look no further than Acer HA220Q bi 21.5. As its name implies, it’s a 22-inch monitor, although it might look like it’s smaller than that. The reason for this is small bezels but on the flip side, you get an almost bezel-less front side, except for the bigger chin with the Acer logo imprinted. Acer isn’t the biggest brand when it comes to gaming but this time, they’ve nailed it, especially when it comes to blazing-fast 4ms response time. You can now forget about ghosting and time delays, as this monitor flies through every task like MIG-29!
Compared to the previous monitor on our list, this one has a bit bitter contrast of 100:1, ensuring that the blacks are deep and that colors are punchy and vibrant. Acer also added a five-to-fifteen degrees tilt feature, so you can now enjoy its modest, yet more-than-satisfying ergonomics for the price. As for connectivity, we have some standard features – one HDMI and one VGA port. Even at this price, tiny bezels, and exceptional image quality, you’re not deprived of impressive connectivity.
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HP Pavilion 21.5
Img source: kfrventures.com
One thing I’ve always liked about HP monitors is its minimalistic design. HP Pavilion 21.5 is a pure example of a gaming monitor that’s not going to suck all the money out of your pocket or wallet, yet still, provides a decent gaming experience. Thanks to the tiny bezels, this 22-inch beauty will immerse you in the world of your favorite game. With the resolution of 1920×1080 pixels and a contrast ratio of 1000:1, this monitor is some of the best at this price range.The blacks are deep and the colors are vivid, punchy, well-balanced. Although the response time is 7ms, you’ll never notice a difference between this monitor and other 5ms monitors.
HP also takes care of our environment, as well as our electric bills by reducing the power consumption of their products. This monitor, in particular, has a power consumption of 20 watts. Connectivity-wise, we have standard HDMI and VGA ports.
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Sceptre E205W-16003R 20“
Img source: amazon.com
Sceptre E205W-16003R 20“ is everything but an ordinary monitor. The reason for this is its weird combination of specs. It’s a 20-inch monitor, so it’s the smallest of the bunch. However, even with its resolution of 1600×900 pixels, it packs a decent image quality, especially given its 75Hz refresh rate. We gamers are all about high FPS in games and although this isn’t a top-of-the-line gaming monitor, 75Hz refresh rate will give you a bit smoother image, which is essential for some shooting and fighting games. The response time of 5 fps will, once again, remove ghosting and blurring, giving you a jaw-dropping image quality at an affordable price.
Probably the best thing about this monitor is the presence of 2 HDMI ports that you can convert to DVI. Furthermore, this monitor has a speaker that produces clear, although not that loud sound. The tilting is also supported, as well as 100×100 mm VESA mount, so you can now use this monitor for professional purchases. With its price of well below $100, this monitor is a steal, so seal the deal. That’s some amazing rhyming, almost as amazing as this monitor!
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Conclusion
The options below 100 bucks are pretty limited. That’s why we listed these four monitors, as they’re currently the best for this price. Whatever monitor you decide to buy, you’ll not make a mistake, as every monitor on this list has its characteristic feature. Given that you’re a budget gamer, we don’t want you to spend your money on low-quality stuff. These are your best options under $100, so feel free to make a decision.
