What are the best free gaming monitors to consider for a budget build without giving up high refresh rate?

If you want a budget gaming monitor without sacrificing high refresh rate, the sweet spot is usually 24–27 inches, 1080p or 1440p, IPS or fast VA, and 144Hz+. “Best” depends on whether you care more about price, motion clarity, color quality, or console support, but these are some of the best value-oriented models and model families to look for:

Best budget high-refresh gaming monitors

1. AOC 24G2 / 24G2SP

• Size/Res: 24", 1080p
• Refresh rate: 144Hz–165Hz depending on version
• Panel: IPS
• Why it’s good: One of the most popular budget gaming monitors for years
• Pros: Great colors, good motion handling, ergonomic stand on many versions
• Cons: 1080p only, can vary a bit by region/version

2. Gigabyte G24F / G24F 2

• Size/Res: 24", 1080p
• Refresh rate: 170Hz+
• Panel: IPS
• Why it’s good: Excellent value and often priced aggressively
• Pros: Strong response times, good color, usually lots of features for the money
• Cons: Build quality is decent but not premium

3. MSI G2412 / G244F

• Size/Res: 24", 1080p
• Refresh rate: 144Hz–170Hz
• Panel: IPS
• Why it’s good: Often one of the cheapest good IPS gaming monitors
• Pros: Fast, colorful, usually very affordable
• Cons: Stand may be basic; check for adaptive sync support in your region

4. Dell G2724D

• Size/Res: 27", 1440p
• Refresh rate: 165Hz
• Panel: IPS
• Why it’s good: One of the best budget 1440p gaming monitors
• Pros: Great image quality, strong response times, excellent for PC gaming
• Cons: A bit more expensive than 1080p options

5. LG 24GN650 / 24GN600

• Size/Res: 24", 1080p
• Refresh rate: 144Hz
• Panel: IPS
• Why it’s good: Reliable all-around budget pick
• Pros: Good motion performance, solid colors, widely available
• Cons: Usually lacks premium extras like USB ports or speakers

6. ASUS TUF VG249Q1A / VG249Q

• Size/Res: 24", 1080p
• Refresh rate: 165Hz
• Panel: IPS
• Why it’s good: Good reputation for gaming performance
• Pros: Smooth, decent color, good value
• Cons: Check exact model specs, as ASUS has many similar versions

7. Samsung Odyssey G3 (budget VA option)

• Size/Res: 24" or 27", 1080p
• Refresh rate: 144Hz
• Panel: VA
• Why it’s good: If you want deeper contrast for the price
• Pros: Better blacks than IPS
• Cons: VA can have more motion smearing in dark scenes

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What to prioritize in a budget gaming monitor

If you’re trying to get the most for your money, focus on:

• 144Hz minimum (165Hz or 170Hz is even better)
• IPS panel if you want better colors and viewing angles
• FreeSync / G-Sync Compatible
• 1ms MPRT claims are marketing-heavy; look for real-world reviews instead
• 1080p at 24" is the best budget sweet spot
• 1440p at 27" is better if your GPU can handle it

Best picks by budget

• Cheapest good option: MSI G2412 / LG 24GN600
• Best all-around 1080p: AOC 24G2SP or Gigabyte G24F 2
• Best budget 1440p: Dell G2724D
• Best if you prefer contrast: Samsung Odyssey G3

If you want, I can also give you:

1. the best gaming monitors under a specific budget, or
2. a list tailored for PC vs PS5/Xbox.