Searching for the best gaming monitor for under 500 dollars or pounds usually brings up a ton of different options, which can be a little tricky to navigate when looking for your next upgrade.
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 standout monitors for gaming, based on specs, reviews, features they offer, and what type of gaming they'd suit.
Let's dive in!
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
Best Gaming Monitor Under 500 1080p - BenQ Mobiuz 27"
click to enlargeBenQ 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.
Best Gaming Monitor Under 500 UltraWide - AOC CU34G2X
click to enlargeIf 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.
Best Gaming Monitor Under 500 1440p Curved - SAMSUNG Odyssey G5 Series 32"
click to enlargeThe 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.
Best Gaming Monitor Under 500 4K - ASUS TUF Gaming VG289Q
click to enlargeThis 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.
Best Gaming Monitor Under 500 240hz - AOC C27G2Z 27"
click to enlargeIf 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.
Best Gaming Monitor Under 500 1440p - LG Ultragear 27GL83A-B
click to enlargeThis 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