The best gaming monitor for under 500 can still offer a lot of features, but without costing so much.
While many of the latest HDMI 2.1 monitors carry pretty heavy price tags, there are loads of alternatives that come in at under 500 that pair well with a wide variety of consoles and PCs.
In fact, since consoles like the Xbox Series X and S support 1440p, many of the monitors under 500 make for a great call if you're looking for something to use across multiple platforms.
The jury is still out on PS5 1440p support, so we'd say go for an FHD or 4K monitor over 1440p for optimal results.
At this price point, you may have to make some small concessions, such as skipping some of the higher certification HDRs and some of the more advanced panels like OLED for instance, but there are some seriously impressive monitors out that are hard to say no to.
We've done some hard work for you and selected what we think are some of the best monitors for gaming under 500, based on specs, reviews, features they offer, and what type of gaming they'd suit.
Best Gaming Monitor Under 500
- BenQ MOBIUZ EX2710 27 Inch Gaming Monitor
- AOC CU34G2X 34-inch Ultrawide Gaming Monitor
- SAMSUNG Odyssey G5 Series 32-Inch Gaming Monitor
- ASUS TUF Gaming VG289Q Gaming Monitor
- AOC C27G2Z 27" Gaming Monitor
- LG Ultragear 27GL83A-B 27 Inch Gaming Monitor
1. BenQ Mobiuz 27"
Best Gaming Monitor Under 500 1080p
BenQ makes some of the best gaming monitors and this BenQ Mobiuz EX2710 is yet another example of this.
Standout features of this monitor include its high refresh rate at 1080p and its intelligent HDRi to add some dynamic contrast to your gaming.
This monitor even features Brightness Intelligence Plus, which automatically adjusts the display brightness and colour temperature in line with your environment, which is great for reducing eye strain.
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And don't forget its lightning-fast 1ms response time, a must-have if you're playing online and want to get the edge in games like Warzone, Fortnite, and many other high-action titles.
And we think that as far as monitors well under 500 pounds or dollars go, the BenQ Mobiuz's thin bezels make it look pretty sharp indeed.
2. AOC CU34G2X
Best Gaming Monitor Under 500 UltraWide
If you're sticking to a budget of 500 pounds or dollars and are looking for an Ultrawide display, the AOC CU34G2X may be the choice for you.
This monitor features a stunning 34-inch, ultrawide display with a 3440 x 1440 pixels resolution and 1500R curve which should allow for excellent immersion while gaming.
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You're also getting a rapid 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, which should allow you to experience fast and smooth gameplay.
The AOC CU34G2X also features AMD FreeSync and a height-adjustable stand.
3. SAMSUNG Odyssey G5 Series 32"
Best Gaming Monitor Under 500 1440p Curved
The Samsung Odyssey G5 is a good call for gamers who want that big-screen experience but want to keep costs down below 500.
Again, you're getting a 144hz refresh rate with a lightning-fast 1ms response time, making it a good call for the games where you need to take every bit of advantage you can get.
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But that standout feature here is the 1000R curved screen, which is designed to give you maximum immersion when playing and is said, much like many of the best curved monitors, to reduce eye strain... win-win!
Overall, we think this Samsung Odyssey gaming monitor is worth taking a closer look at on your search.
4. ASUS TUF Gaming VG289Q
Best Gaming Monitor Under 500 4K
This ASUS TUF gaming monitor stands out for all the right reasons in our eyes.
Of course, you've got the classic 4K/ 60hz pairing, making it a good call for console gaming, but there are a number of features here which make it a cracking choice for the price.
This ASUS monitor boasts a solid 350 nit brightness, which is great if you're playing in a well-lit room. On top of that, you're also getting a quality IPS display, for increased viewing angles.
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But the ergonomics is where it's really at, as this monitor features height, swivel, tilt, and pivot adjustability, on top of being VESA compliant in case you fancy using your own monitor arm.
We think it's a worthy contender for one of the best gaming monitors around, especially for the accessible price point.
5. AOC C27G2Z 27"
Best Gaming Monitor Under 500 240hz
If you're after a powerhouse 240Hz monitor, you'll want to check out this AOC C27G2Z.
It boasts a phenomenal 0.5ms response time, coupled with a staggering 240hz making it a worthy consideration for one of the best monitors for competitive gaming.
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While some players may debate on what the best size screen is for gaming, we think 27 inches makes for a good mid-ground for this style of monitor, especially if your setup allows for you to sit back a little.
Powerful, affordable, and the winner when it comes to design, we think this AOC C27G2Z should tick more than a few boxes for gaming.
6. LG Ultragear 27GL83A-B
Best Gaming Monitor Under 500 1440p
This LG Ultragear 1440p monitor looks to be a popular choice for gaming when sticking to under 500.
It packs some specs you'd expect from a good quality QHD monitor, including a low response time, HDR10, and even a decent 300 cd/m² brightness too.
Arguably hitting the sweet spot for 1440p resolution at 27 inches, this could be a welcome addition to fast-paced gaming without sacrificing detail.
In fact, when it comes to some of the best monitors for Xbox Series X, this could be up there also.
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The monitor features advanced ergonomics, so you can adjust freely to suit your position, and if you've got an audience, they'll be able to see clearly from wide viewing angles thanks to its IPS display.
Overall, we think it's easy to see why this LG Ultragear 27GL83A-B gets so much attention.
We'll be back with you soon to update our list with more gaming monitors we think stand out from the crowd.
If you've decided that you want to check out some of the very best gaming monitors around, be sure to look at our picks for the best HDMI 2.1 Monitors this year.
Plus, if you're looking for even more affordable options, you can always check out the best gaming monitors under 200.
Read More: Best Gaming Monitor Under 300: Our Top Budget Picks
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
When it comes to finding the best monitor for gaming, it's all about personal taste, budget, and what you're primarily using it for, and these are just some of what we think are some of the standout monitors on the market today.
But there are a few 'rules of thumb' you can follow which can help decide which monitor is best for your primary usage.
Are gaming monitors worth it?
We'd say yes, absolutely. Much like gaming laptops, gaming monitors are built for performance so they can handle both gaming and productivity easily.
What brand is best for gaming monitors?
There are loads of great brands that deliver quality gaming monitors, so it's not so much about which is best, but perhaps which is best aligned to your needs.
LG for instance has brilliant gaming monitors that are slightly more minimally designed, making them good for doubling up as workstations too.
Brands like Gigabyte have a strong gaming aesthetic and are quite affordable also, while Samsung tends to be quite expensive but very impressive across the board.
What is the best refresh rate for a gaming monitor?
Generally speaking, for fast-paced gaming you'll want to go 144hz and above. More frames per second can give you the edge, although 360hz is quite hard to distinguish between 240hz.
For slower more cinematic experiences, we'd say go for a larger screen with HDR, especially for consoles.
A great mid-ground is 144hz at 1440p if you want smooth gameplay without losing too much detail.
Should you get an HDMI 2.1 Monitor?
They're very new to the scene and expensive, so it's really about your chosen budget, but they are practically future-proof and can give you low response times, high fps, and 4K all at the same time.
That being said, some outstanding 120hz HDMI 2.1 TVs could be worth considering if you want something more multi-use.
What is the best monitor size for gaming?
There is some debate as to what is the best monitor size for gaming, but really it depends on your usage.
Smaller is better with lower resolution as it doesn't look as blurry. For instance, we wouldn't recommend a 32-inch 1080p monitor for picture clarity, but with 4K it'll look fantastic.
Playing competitively also requires smaller screens so you can see what's going on with minimal head/ eye movement.
If you're going for a solid 1440p monitor, then 27" is a good call and often exactly what's needed for most people's rigs, although be careful buying one for PS5 as the console doesn't support native 1440p just yet.
All in all, we'd say 24" for 1080p, 27" for 1440p, and 32" - 43" for 4K would be our picks for 'optimal' screen sizes...but again, it's a personal preference.
Should you get a curved monitor?
Some debate exists over whether curved monitors are better for gaming than their more standard-looking counterparts.
On the one hand, having a curved monitor does allow for increased immersion first and foremost as they look to fill your entire field of vision with their vast screen real estate. This is especially true for displays like the Samsung Odyssey G9 with its 49-inch panel.
However, if you are looking to play competitively, going for a smaller, non-curved panel is probably the way to go, but if immersion and the added power of a curved monitor are of paramount importance, then we'd say they're worth a pickup.
Do I need HDR on a gaming monitor?
Many of the monitors we've got listed here offer up a form of what's known as HDR, or high-dynamic range.
Having HDR is primarily useful on larger-screen monitors (i.e. 32 inches or above) as it will be easier to notice the higher quality of visual output. This can work well if the monitor is also 4K and you're going to be using it for console gaming.
If you are solely focused on smaller-panel PC gaming and if higher refresh rates are of paramount importance over everything else, then having HDR capabilities like HDR10 isn't as vital.
Do I need 4K in a gaming monitor?
Some of the very best gaming monitors out there, like a few of our selections above, offer up a 4K UHD panel with a resolution of 3840x2160.
If you're going to be playing on either a large screen or you value cinematic power above higher refresh rates for instance, then a 4K monitor would be a worthwhile purchase.
However, if you want more raw performance, then going for a 1440p monitor with a higher refresh rate would arguably be a better option.
We'll be updating this list regularly with new additions, so be sure to stop by again soon.