As any gamer would know, you can have the best game controller, mouse, keyboard, etc. and be the most skilled player in the world but none of that matters if you can’t see the game well. High end gaming monitors can be quite expensive but this doesn’t have to be the case. There are actually a lot of options for budget-friendly 1440p (resolution) gaming monitors.
To get the best budget 1440p gaming monitor, you need to know what characteristics to look for. Resolution is one of the key features. All of the monitors on this list have a 1440p resolution. In addition, you also want a monitor that has a good refresh rate. Features such as screen size, panel type, and shape are also important and based on your personal preference.
Again, you don’t necessarily have to pay top dollar for top quality. Here are our top 3 choices.
Best Budget 1440p Gaming Monitor Comparison Table
As you will see, gaming monitors can vary in the features they provide. These all have the same resolution but there is much more to a gaming monitor than resolution. Below is a comparison table of the top 5 monitors and their characteristics.
1. AOC CQ27G1 – Best Overall
The CQ27G1 model from AOC is the top choice on this list. This gaming monitor is part of a series with similar monitors of different sizes. This particular model is 27”, which is considered to be an ideal size for a gaming monitor. However, you can also choose from 24”, 32”, and 34” options as well. With this monitor, you also have your choice of curved or flat, which is personal preference.
Our Pick
AOC CQ27G1
This gaming monitor has a screen resolution of 2560 x 1440 (1440p). It is an 1800R curved monitor, referring to the size of the curvature. This is also considered to be an ideal viewing distance for minimal eye strain and the best gaming experience.
It has a 3-sided frameless design as well as narrow borders to further enhance the visual experience. This monitor is VESA wall mountable but also has a standing option. In addition, this monitor is also fully height adjustable so it is optimized for ergonomic value. It has one display port, two HDMI 2.0 ports, and an audio jack.
This monitor is also high speed when it comes to picture processing. It has a refresh rate of 144 Hz and a response time of 1 ms. It also has AMD FreeSync technology which synchronizes the display and GPU (graphics processing unit) to eliminate screen tearing, stutter, and other forms of lag. This monitor has direct current backlighting to ensure that it is flicker-free and does not cause eye strain. It also AOC LowBlue Mode Technology for those of you that are more sensitive to blue light. The OSD (on-screen display) menu is quite user-friendly as well.
Pros
- Several screen size options
- Curved and flat screen options
- 1800R curvature
- VESA mountable
- 144 Hz refresh rate and 1 ms response time
- AMD FreeSync Technology
- LowBlue Mode Technology
Cons
- Corners/edges may seem dim
- No tilt adjustment
2. Philips 325E1C – Premium Pick
The Philips 325E1C is the premium pick on this list, though it is still very affordable. There are a few related monitors in this series. This model is 32” but there are also 27” and 34” options available. In addition, you have a choice between curved, curved VA (vertical alignment), and flat VA when purchasing. The curvature on this screen is 1500R. While this is slightly different than the top choice on this list, it still provides a great viewing experience.
Our Premium Pick
Philips 325E1C
This gaming monitor is designed for a visual punch. It has Philips Ultra-Wide Color Technology, which has 123% sRGB and 102% NTSC color gamut coverage. It also has a LowBlue light mode and anti-flicker design to save your eyes from strain.
This monitor employs Smart Contrast as well. This is a technology that allows the monitor to automatically analyze and adjust colors and backlighting for the optimal visual experience.
With this monitor, you get a 75 Hz refresh rate and 4 ms response time. It has HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort (DP) 1.2, VGA, and audio ports. This monitor is also VESA wall mount compatible. It is another frameless, 3-sided monitor that enhances the display. You are able to adjust the tilt on this monitor as well. You will also find an elongated, hidden storage spot for cables to help clear up the gaming space more. This also makes it look better in general.
Pros
- Several screen size options
- Curved and flat screen options
- Displays more colors than typical monitors
- LowBlue and anti-flicker technology
- Smart Contrast
- 75 Hz refresh rate and 4 ms response time
- VESA mountable
- Hidden cable storage
- 1500R curvature
Cons
- No height adjustment
- May have trouble finding a correct size mount
3. VIOTEK GNV27DB
This gaming monitor from VIOTEK is around the same price as the Philips 325E1C. It has a curved 27” VA panel screen. You can get a white version or 32” (black) for a slight upcharge. This monitor has a 96% sRGB color gamut and 3000:1 color contrast. It also has FPS/RTS optimization to accentuate details in dark or shadowed areas in your game. You also have a variety of visual customization options as well. The 1500R curvature prevents glare on the screen. This monitor has a blue light filter as well.
VIOTEK GNV27DB
This monitor has a user-friendly design. It is VESA compatible and has a low-bezel design for an easy setup. It also has an ergonomic design thanks to the available tilt adjustment. You will find that this gaming monitor has a decent amount of connectivity as well; three HDMI ports, one DP, and an audio port.
This monitor is definitely made for gaming. It has a refresh rate of 144 Hz and has both AMD FreeSync and Low-Framerate Compensation (LFC) to prevent lag and motion blur. It does have a base response time of 6 ms but the overdrive feature allows for a 4.8 ms response time.
The GAMEPLUS feature gives you the option to overlay targeting crosshairs for sniping, spell casting, etc. This monitor has a variety of multi-media features as well.
Pros
- Several screen size options
- Good color and contrast
- VESA compatible
- Low-bezel design
- AMD FreeSync and LFC
- 144 Hz refresh rate
- GAMEPLUS
- 1500R curvature
Cons
- No height adjustment
- Curved screen only
- Audio quality is not the best
- Menu may be difficult to navigate
- 6 ms base response time
4. Acer EB321HQU
This gaming monitor from Acer is the largest monitor on this list (31.5”). The WQHD resolution is in a 16:9 aspect ratio, giving you high quality details for all gaming. The wide viewing angle gives you accurate color display up to 178 degrees. This monitor also has PIP and PBP functions that lets you multi-task easily. You can adjust settings on the go with the Display Widget feature.
Acer EB321HQU
This monitor features AcerVisionCare technology to ensure your comfort and a reduction of eye strain. This monitor has a DP 1.2, HDMI 1.4, and DVI port. The screen has an anti-glare finish and this monitor also offers a mode to reduce blue light.
There is a significant amount of backlighting but you can adjust this to your comfort level. You can adjust the tilt on this monitor as well as mount it on a VESA mount.
This monitor has decent speeds when it comes to visual processing. It has a refresh rate of 60 Hz and a response time of 4 ms. It has a 72% NTSC color gamut.
Pros
- Wide viewing angle
- Easy multi-tasking
- AcerVisionCare technology
- Adjustable tilt
- VESA compatible
- Refresh rate of 60 Hz and response time of 4 ms
- Removable microphone on the left ear cup
Cons
- Larger screen than recommended (good or bad depending on preference)
- No height adjustment
- Heavy
5. VIOTEK FI24D – Budget Pick
Another great choice from VIOTEK, the FI24D is a 24” gaming monitor that is the budget pick for this list. Though every monitor on this list is budget-friendly, this one is significantly cheaper than the others. That said, it still has decent speeds and wonderful graphics.
Our Budget Pick
VIOTEK FI24D
This monitor is a widescreen display with Advanced Hyper-Viewing Angle (AHVA) for optimal color performance and clarity. It has an anti-glare screen and low blue light filter for sensitive eyes. It also has a 16:9 screen ratio and 92% sRGB color gamut, displaying 16.7 million colors.
This monitor is VESA mount compatible and has a tilt adjustment feature. It has one DP 1.2 port, two HDMI 1.4 ports, and an audio port. It has an easy to use on-screen display and specific gaming features to enhance your experience. These include the previously mentioned GAMEPLUS and FPS/RTS optimization.
One thing to note about this monitor is that it does have a slower response time than recommended (14 ms). That said, you are dealing in milliseconds here so the difference may not be all that noticeable. In addition, this monitor does have an overdrive feature that allows it to have a 6 ms response time. It does have a decent refresh rate; 60 Hz base and 75 Hz overclocking. AMD FreeSync also helps to ensure smooth gameplay.
Pros
- Cheap
- Widescreen viewing angle
- Low blue light filter and anti-glare
- VESA compatible
- 60 Hz refresh rate
- AMD FreeSync
- GAMEPLUS and FPS/RTS optimization
Cons
- 14 ms response time
- No height adjustment
How To Select The Best Budget 1440p Gaming Monitor
It may seem like a basic piece of equipment but there are a lot of specs that go into looking for a good gaming monitor. You are looking for a 1440p gaming monitor so obviously graphics are important to you. Graphics and speed are both incredibly important for gamers. You want a game to look good but you also want to trust that you won’t experience lag. So you can judge these a little better, here are some features to be aware of.
Refresh Rate
This is one of the main characteristics that determines lag (or lack thereof). The refresh rate of a monitor is the number of times it updates the image on display each second. At minimum, you should look for a monitor with a refresh rate of 60 Hz. That said, this is one of those features where you can’t go too high. The higher the refresh rate, the better. Though it isn’t necessary for good gameplay, high end monitors can go up to 240 Hz.
Response Time
This refers to the time it takes a pixel to change from one color to another. If this is off or too high, you may notice blurry images, inaccurate colors, etc. You should aim for a monitor with a response time of 5 ms or less, with 1 ms being the best choice. Keep in mind, though, that these are incredibly short periods of time. It is unlikely that these differences will be glaring and noticeable. So don’t let this break a good deal for you.
Screen Size
This has a lot to do with personal preference. Some people like to have smaller screens while others like to have very large screens. In general, 24” and 27” screens are thought to be ideal for seeing a lot of the image without having eye strain. These sizes let you take in the most visuals without having distractions.
Blue Lighting
All of your electronics emit blue light from the screen. Some people have issues with eye strain, headaches, etc. that could be triggered by this. This is especially true for those who suffer from migraines. You don’t want to be in pain while you’re playing your favorite game. You will find that most modern gaming monitors have features to block out blue lighting. You may also be able to adjust this setting.
Height and Tilt Adjustment
This isn’t super important to everyone but it is something to consider. Most monitors have one or the other but you can find gaming monitors that have both height and tilt adjustment options. This just refers to being able to move the screen up and down on the mount as well as tilting it back and forth. Monitors will also differ in how far you can adjust them.
Resolution
This is a bit obvious with this list but, just so you know what’s being discussed, screen resolution refers to the number of pixels on the screen. 1440p is a short way of saying a screen resolution of 2560 x 1440. This means that each of these monitors has 2,560 pixels horizontally and 1,440 pixels vertically. Arguably the best resolution for gaming is 1080p (1920 x 1080) so you know all of these are great choices.
Curved vs. Flat Screens
This is another personal preference choice. Some gamers prefer curved screens because they are designed to let you take in more visual information at once. A curved screen lets you use your peripheral vision better so you can see and comprehend all of the screen. You will likely notice less eye strain with a curved monitor since your eyes won’t necessarily be pushing as hard to take in all of the visuals. That said, some gamers do prefer flat screen monitors. Flat screens tend to be less prone to glare. They are also easier to mount whereas curved screens may require specific types of mounts.
Curvature
You saw that the curved screens listed above had curvature ratings of either 1800R or 1500R. This refers to the size of the radius, with the numbers translating directly into millimeters (1,800 mm or 1,500 mm). 1,800R is the maximum curvature you should get. Anything higher could cause strain on your eyes. You’ll also want to think about how far from the screen you’ll be sitting. For example, 1800R is 1,800 mm or 1.8 meters. For this rating, you would want to sit about 1.8 meters from the screen. If you need to sit closer to the screen, then a lower curvature rating would be better for you.
Conclusion
The above list showed you that, although each of these monitors has the same screen resolution, their other features can vary. Some of these features relate to personal preference while others have recommended settings. When looking for the best budget 1440p gaming monitor, keep in mind other graphics and speed features such as refresh rate, response time, color quality, monitor adjustment options, and more. Getting the best monitor you can find will really take your game to the next level, whether you are a serious or casual gamer. Find out the best monitor size for gaming.
