If you're looking for the best gaming monitors that won't break the bank, you'll find that prices have soared significantly in recent years, particularly for displays featuring OLED panels, large screens, and high refresh rates at sharp resolutions. However, there’s still a fantastic selection of affordable monitors available that don’t compromise on image quality and features as much as you might expect. Take the Xiaomi G Pro 27i, for instance—it boasts an incredible mini-LED, quantum dot screen for under $400. It tops our list for good reason: it rivals monitors costing hundreds more and demonstrates the kind of quality you can achieve on a budget—provided you know where to look.
Even mid-range graphics cards and CPUs can push the limits of budget gaming monitors, thanks to affordable high-refresh and 4K displays. While there are tradeoffs—such as height-adjustable stands on the low end and value-adds like KVM switches on the high end—the key is focusing on performance and your personal priorities. This ensures you find great values across every price point.
Keep in mind that not all budget gaming monitors are created equal. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. A $100 monitor might seem like a steal, but it likely won’t last long or could strain your eyes during extended gaming sessions. Our picks may cost slightly more than $100, but their solid builds, excellent panels, and gaming features ensure a better experience. Of course, nicer gaming monitors are available if you're willing to spend more.
Contributions by Danielle Abraham, Matthew S. Smith
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The Xiaomi G Pro 27i is nothing short of remarkable. For around $330, it redefines what you should expect from affordable gaming monitors. While it's not the cheapest, it delivers far more than competitors and offers a fantastic picture and gaming experience.
Unlike most budget gaming monitors, the G Pro 27i uses mini-LED technology with full-array local dimming (FALD). This intelligent backlighting significantly improves contrast, reducing blooming (glowing around bright objects) and enhancing the overall viewing experience. Its HDR performance is outstanding, rivaling OLEDs—usually priced several times higher—but without the risk of burn-in or text clarity issues.
Xiaomi equipped this monitor with a premium panel capable of up to 180Hz, ensuring ultra-smooth gameplay and minimal motion blur. It supports AMD FreeSync and, surprisingly, Nvidia G-Sync as well. While it lacks some bells and whistles like a USB hub or USB Type-C, these trade-offs are justified by its incredible performance at this price point.
For gamers seeking OLED-like quality without the premium price tag, the Xiaomi G Pro 27i is the ultimate choice.