The screen is a fundamental part of any setup, whether for home use, office or gaming. However, improving your equipment does not have to be expensive and today we bring you the cheapest monitors you can currently get.
Fewer options, but better price
Needless to say, if you’re looking for a cheap monitor you’ll have to give up some of the latest features. For example, don’t expect the best 4K resolution, you’ll have to settle for Full HD or 2K at most.
Still, there are some better alternatives than others and we’ve made it our goal to run through all of them on our list. But first, we offer you a series of tips that you should not overlook when selecting your next monitor:
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Size. In the case of monitors, this parameter is not as important as it is for televisions, since we will generally use it at a much shorter distance. However, it is important to analyze how many inches you will need to adjust the budget. The current standard is between 20 and 27, although the high end can exceed 32. But in this list we will focus on smaller sizes, which will allow you to save.
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Resolution. The current standard is Full HD. With this resolution it will be difficult for you to see pixels on the screen and it will allow you to work or play in a much more comfortable way for your eyes.
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Refresh rate. Although this is a more important feature in gaming monitors, you can also find it in dedicated office monitors. Starting at 75 Hz, the refresh rate will allow you to move apps or games smoothly, although 120 or 144 Hz prevail in the higher ranges.
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connectivity. Finally, although most monitors have an HDMI port for connection, you may want to check out some displays that come with additional USB ports to connect some peripherals. There are even models with a headphone port.
The cheapest screens
If you are looking for cheap monitors, you have found them. Of course, the first screens on the list have a handicap: they do not have HD resolution. Despite this, they can be very valid for less intensive uses or if you do not want to invest too much in them.
Asus VS197DE: cheaper impossible
Well, you want a screen and you want it now. Let’s say you can’t wait to save a little more, shop around for more feature-rich monitors, or simply want to spend as little as possible on this device. Well, the cheapest choice on the list is the Asus VS197DE.
This monitor offers you the minimum essential to connect to your computer: a diagonal of 18.4 inches with an aspect ratio of 4:3. For its price, below 100 euros, you can not ask for more. In fact, it doesn’t even have HD resolution, it stays at a poor 1366 x 768 pixels and it doesn’t have an HDMI port, so you’ll have to connect it via VGA or find a separate adapter. Of course, it is the cheapest of all.
LG 20MK400H-B: with reading mode
LG is one of the most popular manufacturers of screens in the world and in its low range it has some interesting features if you do not want to spend too much. In this case, we are talking about 20MK400H-Bwhich has a diagonal of 19.5 inches and a TN panel with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels.
However, it also has some interesting features, such as its reading mode, which protects the eyes by reducing the emission of blue light or anti-flicker protection. Features that make it ideal for a small office or business that is just starting out and doesn’t want to over-invest in its monitors.
The best budget monitors
From here, most of the devices on the list have very similar features and selecting the best monitor for you will come more down to personal preference. Full HD is imposed as standard in the rest of the models, although the 75 Hz refresh rate that some screens on the list have can help you make the decision.
Lenovo L24e-30: Affordable Full HD
Within its economic range, Lenovo has the L24e-30, a monitor with a 23.8-inch VA panel and Full HD resolution so that performing any task is much more comfortable for your eyes. Its borderless design is one of the most elegant and minimalist on the list and it has a pedestal on which you can rest your mobile phone.
For the rest, it has a refresh rate of 75 Hz and free sync mode, with which you can play video games smoothly. In addition, it has Eye Comfort certified technology that reduces eye fatigue, even after long days of use.
Philips 243V7QDSB: a good IPS panel
Another of the large screen manufacturers has decided to offer a most attractive input range thanks to the inclusion of IPS panels. This type of screen offers a much wider viewing angle, so you won’t have to worry about glare or loss of intensity.
The screen of 243V7QDSB It has a 24-inch diagonal with a 16:9 format and Full HD resolution to make sure everything looks great. In addition, it has a refresh rate of 75 Hz and Smart Contrast technology that automatically adjusts the color of the content you view.
HP 24m60: another good IPS option
As we have already told you on occasion, IPS panels are currently the best option for a low or mid-range monitor. And precisely for this reason, the HP 24m60 it is one of the best in this range, with a wide viewing angle.
It has a 23.8-inch screen with Full HD resolution and an ultra-thin frame design, except at the bottom, which makes it the most elegant. In addition, it has HDMI and VGA ports to maximize its compatibility with all types of computers.
Samsung LF22T374FWRXEN: in two sizes
We must admit that Samsung’s low-end has surprised us. Accustomed to its gigantic ultrawide screens, here you can only select a 22 or 24-inch diagonal, but inside is where the magic happens.
The LF22T374FWRXEN offers a wide range of colors, while its IPS panel ensures that intensity and clarity is maintained in every inch of the screen. It has Full HD resolution, a 75 Hz refresh rate and blue light reduction modes to take care of your eyes during the most intensive days.
BenQ GW2480: simple and cheap
The input model from BenQ is a comfortable and functional computer that can be a perfect choice for the office. It has a 24-inch diagonal, Full HD resolution and an IPS panel to maximize your viewing angle in any circumstance.
Its only drawback is that it only offers a 60 Hz refresh rate, which can be a bit short for uses such as video games or HD video viewing. But if you put price before fluidity, this monitor can become your new office companion.
MSI Optix G241VC: an LCD to play
Entering fully into the most economical range of the popular brand of gaming accessories MSI we find the Optix G241VC, a budget monitor built for gaming. It has a 23.6-inch LCD panel with LED backlighting and Full HD resolution so that everything you project on it looks perfect.
How could it be otherwise, it has a refresh rate of 75 Hz and a response time of 1 ms, which is a great attraction if you plan to use it to play, since you will have much lower latency. In addition, it has the AMD FreeSync system so you can say goodbye to vibrant images or synchronization problems.
Huawei Eye Comfort AD80: better for your eyes
Yes, Huawei also manufactures monitors and its Eye Comfort AD80 It is a very interesting option. This alternative has a technology designed to reduce the effects of blue light and eliminate reflections thanks to its IPS panel.
It has a size of 23.8 inches, Full HD resolution and a 72% NTSC color gamut, with a contrast ratio of 1000:12, which improves the experience when viewing movies, series or video games. To cite something negative, it only has a 60 Hz refresh rate.
Acer KG1: the biggest screen
We finish with another of the most popular models of the low range, the KG1 from Asus, which offers great features for a very low price. To begin with, its 27-inch screen is one of the cheapest you’ll find for this price and it has an outstanding LED panel with Full HD resolution and 75 Hz refresh rate.
And to continue, it has a contrast of 100,000,000:1, which will allow you to obtain an exceptional amount of brightness in any situation. In addition, thanks to the inclusion of VGA ports you can make it compatible with any computer.
The cheapest monitors: is cheap expensive?
We have not deceived you: in our list you have been able to know some of the cheapest monitors that the main manufacturers currently sell. In fact, there is an entire market for low-end displays that attract many users who do not want to invest much in their equipment.
However, these types of choices can have their consequences. To begin with, monitors that do not have Full HD resolution in 2021 could be said to be directly obsolete, so we do not recommend this type of option.
Instead, if we had to stick with one of these monitors, we would definitely go for the Acer K1. A monitor within the low range that offers a better screen diagonal and with a refresh rate of 75 Hz.
Still, our advice is to wait and save a little more to access the mid-range screens, where you can find much better features for a little more money.