By Robin Owens 15 days ago, Monitors
The best monitors under $400 at exclusive prices.
Have just $400 but want a high-resolution and long-lasting monitor? Don’t think that getting a new monitor requires much money.
Here are the best monitors under $400 fit for everyday tasks or some really involved gaming.
This carefully compiled collection of monitors shows the best models that fit under this price tag with a variety of specific features that would cover any purpose.
Screen size: 32-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2560 x 1440 | Brightness: 350 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 144Hz | Response time: 1-5ms | Viewing angle: 178 / 178 | Contrast ratio: 3000:1 | Color support: sRGB
⊕ AMD FreeSync enabled
⊕ High refresh rate
⊕ Specific features for gamers
⊖ A slight shift in greens
⊖ No speakers
You wouldn’t expect to see among the gaming monitors under 400 dollars such a wide curved, normally overpriced model.
This slight curve ensures you are absolutely submerged into whatever is on the screen. The VA technology really has a striking grayscale performance.
LG 32GK650F-B might be a considerable investment for someone with regular needs. But compared to analogs, this model has a sensible price. If a 32-inch curved monitor is your requirement, this will be the best option to obtain.
Screen size:27 -inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2560 x 1440 | Brightness: 350 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: Hz | Response time: 1ms | Viewing angle: 170° (H) / 160° (V) | Contrast ratio: DCR 8,000,000:1 (1,000:1) | Color support: sRGB
⊕ Beautiful screen
⊕ Sleek profile
⊕ Solid build and accurate color reproduction
⊕ Remarkable efficiency
⊕ Impressive responsiveness
⊖ FreeSync only functions with an AMD video card
⊖ Gamma adjustment is absent
⊖ Not intended for low-light use
⊖ Decreased accuracy at an angle
Dell S2719DGF measures 27", features stunning color rendering and can boast of high responsiveness combined with minimized input lag.
It won’t produce the contrast of a VA panel, like the one in the previous entry. But otherwise, it is the best 2k monitor for gaming at 155Hz, especially with video cards that support FreeSync.
This 27-inch gaming monitor is favored by customers with mixed needs. They have enough space for multitasking in several windows on the large desktop. At the same time, they can benefit from its responsiveness and clarity in their gaming process.
The surface and brightness are enough to eliminate the struggle with glares. But if you’re used to working at night, the lack of light will expose such flaws of this model as the low contrast and clouding in black areas.
Screen size: 27-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Brightness: 300 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 75Hz | Response time: 5ms | Viewing angle: 178 / 178 | Contrast ratio: SC 10,000,000:1 (1,000:1) | Color support: sRGB
⊕ Lifelike image with no setting up
⊕ Low input lag plus FreeSync support
⊖ Fixed stand with bad ergonomics
⊖ VESA mount is absent
⊖ Underwhelming dark room performance
Not exactly the best monitor under 400, this base-level model has no frills, only a great picture and satisfactory performance. HP 27f measures 27" and works on the IPS module that displays well even at an angle. Gamers will be satisfied with the low input lag.
Those who use an AMD will have the additional bonus of FreeSync support. Being very basic, the monitor comes with an inconvenient stand and is not incredibly good for the night birds who use it in the dark.
However, this affordable model can boast of insufficient motion blur due to its high responsiveness so that movies or games with a lot of action will look almost perfectly clear. The low input lag contributes to the great user experience, too.
The 1080p resolution is not astonishing, especially for certain uses, like multitasking. In addition, due to the cheap stand, your positioning options are limited and not much can be done here.
Screen size: 25-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Brightness: 400 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 240Hz | Response time: 1ms | Viewing angle: 170° (H) / 160° (V) | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Color support: sRGB
⊕ Impressive modern design
⊕ Vibrant and clear screen
⊕ Well-considered port layout
⊖ Mediocre out-of-box accuracy
⊖ No gamma settings
⊖ Overpriced for this resolution
⊖ No built-in speaker
Among the rival 1080p models, Alienware AW2518Hf is as good as the rest of them and does not contain any striking features to make it the best monitor under 400.
It is a decent video editing monitor with an efficient configuration of the 240Hz refresh rate and the G-Sync feature that helps carry out well even more demanding tasks like gaming.
The biggest difference in this model is its stylish and futuristic design that will embellish any interior.
Screen size: -inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Brightness: cd/m2 | Refresh rate: Hz | Response time: ms | Viewing angle: 178 / 178 | Contrast ratio: | Color support: sRGB
⊕ 10-bit color depth
⊕ Decent incorporated speakers
⊕ Fit for any use
⊖ Deficient HDR on PC
⊖ Basic stand
This model deserves an entry as the best 2k gaming monitor due to a combination of features. The hardware of this IPS monitor, which measures 27 inches, is rather basic and works on 144Hz with a 5ms GTG response time.
A great diversion from the regular build is the incorporation of a 2.1-channel speaker.
Such a feature is rare, to begin with, and when implemented, is often debatable and looks out of place. In this case, if you pair the provided speaker with a 5W subwoofer, the outcome is quite satisfactory.
Summing up all its merits, the monitor is built for professional use but also supplied with good gaming features, which make it quite versatile.
As for the drawbacks, you could encounter some malfunctioning of the HDR mode that has no place in a model of this level.
Screen size: 27-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Brightness: 250 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 75Hz | Response time: 5ms | Viewing angle: 178 / 178 | Contrast ratio: 1000:1 | Color support: sRGB
⊕ Fresh Eyes Achieve More
⊕ Reduced bezels provide more comfort
⊖ Quick and simple in connectivity
⊖ Low refresh rate
Not only this monitor is excellent for gaming since its basically nonexistent edge allows you to merge the two screens with almost no gap perceptible, but it also excels as the best monitor for photo editing under $200. Whether you're a photographer or a graphic designer, this monitor provides precise color representation, essential for photo editing tasks.
This bezel less-monitor works on the IPS technology, reproduces a vivid and clear image all over the screen, and can be viewed comfortably from a 178° angle from any side.
Besides, the model boasts some useful features, numerous connectivity options, and a great flexible stand that allows adjusting. It is really a great offer for such a price.
Screen size: 31.5-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2560 x 1440 | Brightness: 300cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 144Hz | Response time: 1ms | Viewing angle: 178 / 178 | Contrast ratio: ACM 100,000,000:1 (3,000:1) | Color support: sRGB
⊕ Short response time
⊕ AMD FreeSync
⊕ Curved shape
⊖ HDR can result in horrible imagery
This might not be a perfect 4k monitor under 400 dollars, but it is the next best thing. The screen measures 31.5 inches and produces WQHD (2K) resolution while its shape with a slight curve completely submerges you in the image.
It boasts a super-fast 1ms response and a decent 144Hz refresh rate. AMD users can benefit from the FreeSync technology and add the HDR mode for the most vivid and crystal-clear image.
Besides, the monitor stands on well-designed support that can be adjusted for the utmost comfort and pleasure of use.
Screen size: 27-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Brightness: 250 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 144Hz | Response time: 3ms | Viewing angle: 178 / 178 | Contrast ratio: 20000:1 | Color support: sRGB
⊕ Fantastic gaming performance
⊕ AMD FreeSync is enabled
⊕ Well-incorporated gamer-specific features
⊖ Narrow viewing angles
⊖ No USB port
Sceptre C275B-144R is possibly the best gaming monitor under 400. Even though it is priced as a basic model for regular users, it has some rather rare features beneficial primarily to gamers.
The model has a substantial 27-inch diagonal that goes in a slight curve and completely submerges you in the picture.
In addition, decent quality and high efficiency can be enhanced with the FreeSync technology to make the experience even more impressive.
This is really a striking deal because a big, clear, and curved monitor with such performance values is normally priced higher.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
LG 32GK650F-B
Our Choice |
CHECK PRICE → | |
 |
Dell S-Series
Budget |
CHECK PRICE → | |
 |
HP 27f
Affordable |
CHECK PRICE → |
Before you start narrowing down your selection, it is important to set the high and low priorities that will help you get the best model.
All relevant features are brought to notice in our compilation. Here you can find brief explanations of the most important features of the best monitors under 400 to increase your understanding of the matter.
The answer would primarily depend on the type of GPU installed, the technical and financial possibility of upgrading it to allow the support of a better monitor. If those are not an issue, many prefer at least 1440p, and the tendency is now shifting towards 4K.
1440p monitors offer a step up in resolution, providing sharper and more detailed visuals compared to 1080p. While they require more powerful graphics cards to run at high frame rates, the increased pixel density can improve visibility and help spot opponents more easily, making them popular among esports players and content creators.
4K models deliver the highest level of detail and clarity but demand powerful hardware to achieve smooth performance. They offer incredibly sharp visuals and an immersive gaming experience, but many pro gamers might opt for lower resolutions due to the need for top-tier hardware and potential trade-offs in frame rates.
So far, this resolution has not lost its status of the industry standard. Many gamers opt for it and that is a two-way street because you can find many sensible offers on the market that are both affordable and performant. But at the same time, you can fall for something below the average level.
With ultrawide monitors, you should be a bit more cautious. First of all, check that your favorite games support this format because you will end up with thick borders on the side or a stretched-out image that defeats the purpose of getting such a screen.
If you’re into watching movies, an ultrawide model would be a good option because the 21:9 aspect ratio is quite close to the one contemporary movies have (2.39:1). Plus, the best ultrawide monitor under 400 is ideal for working if you need to multitask and switch between windows often.
An enlarged image inevitably creates more stress on the device that broadcasts it.
So, the console or computer might not be powerful enough to reproduce the image without any lagging. For that reason, many gamers remain within the 18-22-inch range of screens for improved performance.
Where the responsiveness of the screen is crucial, mostly in competitive gaming, a monitor would be preferable because it is capable of faster reactions. Instead, if a large picture is the highest priority and minor lagging or distortion are negligible, TVs would be even more preferable.
In a monitor, you need to balance several important values, like the resolution, performance, field of view, aspect ratio, even how far you need to sit from the screen.
You could easily go for the best 4k monitor under 400 that would measure more than 24". But that would mean larger pixels, more stress on the processor, etc.
Some users require a dual computer setup so adding the second monitor is a consequence of such mode of operating.
The top of the class streamers can work with three or even more screens, two intended for gaming, and the rest for streaming.
