Choosing the right monitor can be challenging, especially when you’re looking for something both affordable and feature-rich. Thankfully, 2024 is set to be a great year for budget-conscious shoppers, with numerous monitors under £300 offering excellent performance for both work and play.
Below, we review the top options that give you the best value without breaking the bank, helping you buy new pc monitors informed.
1. Best for Productivity: BenQ GW2785TC (27-inch)
Price: £231.62
The BenQ GW2785TC is ideal for home offices and productivity setups. At 27 inches with Full HD (1080p) resolution, it offers ample screen real estate without taking up too much space. The USB-C connectivity makes it incredibly versatile for connecting laptops and reducing desk clutter, while the ergonomic stand allows for height adjustment, tilting, and even portrait mode.
The colour accuracy is commendable, covering 95.6% of the sRGB colour gamut, making it suitable for light graphic work. The 75Hz refresh rate and flicker-free technology ensure smooth visuals, reducing eye strain for users who spend long hours at their desk.
- Ideal for: Professionals seeking a large screen for multitasking and a monitor that balances image quality and affordability.
2. Best for Gaming and Casual Use: AOC Q27V4EA (27-inch)
Price: £218.58
For those who love sharp visuals and casual gaming, the AOC Q27V4EA is a fantastic choice. This 27-inch monitor offers 1440p (QHD) resolution, providing a much sharper image than Full HD displays. The monitor comes with a 75Hz refresh rate and supports AMD FreeSync, making it suitable for light gaming sessions and general multimedia use.
The slim, bezel-less design and vivid colours make it a stylish addition to any setup. Although the stand lacks adjustability, its crisp visuals and immersive screen size more than compensate for this.
- Ideal for: Users who want an affordable monitor that’s perfect for both work and casual gaming.
- Additional info: One limitation is the stand, which only offers tilt adjustment. Additionally, the monitor suffers from some IPS glow, which might affect the viewing experience in darker environments.
3. Best Compact Monitor: BenQ GW2280 (21.5-inch)
Price: £125
For those with limited space or looking for a more compact monitor, the BenQ GW2280 is a top contender. At 21.5 inches with a 1080p VA panel, it offers superb contrast ratios and wide viewing angles, making it a solid choice for general office tasks, web browsing, and entertainment. Despite its smaller size, the GW2280 packs a punch with excellent image quality for its price point.
Its simple design and narrow bezels make it a space-saving solution, perfect for smaller desks. It’s equipped with dual HDMI ports, ensuring flexibility in connectivity for users who switch between devices.
- Ideal for: Users needing a smaller monitor for daily use or second screen setups. This monitor also includes dual HDMI ports, which makes it versatile for connectivity
4. Best All-Rounder with Webcam: AOC 24V5CW (24-inch)
Price: £275.93
With remote working becoming the norm, the AOC 24V5CW stands out for its built-in webcam and microphone, making it an ideal option for virtual meetings and hybrid work setups. The 24-inch monitor offers a 1080p resolution and a 75Hz refresh rate, providing a seamless experience for both work and entertainment.
The monitor also supports USB-C, allowing you to connect a variety of devices and charge your laptop with just one cable. Its sleek design, along with narrow bezels, makes it an attractive choice for users who want both style and functionality.
- Ideal for: Remote workers who need a high-quality webcam and an all-in-one monitor for video conferencing and day-to-day tasks. The USB-C allows for charging and data transfer, making it convenient for hybrid or home office setups.
5. Best for High-Resolution on a Budget: Iiyama ProLite XUB3293UHSN-B5 (32-inch)
Price: £275.93
If you’re after a large screen with 4K resolution under £300, the Iiyama ProLite XUB3293UHSN-B5 is hard to beat. This 32-inch monitor offers ultra-sharp images, making it perfect for creative professionals, designers, or anyone who values high-definition display quality. The KVM switch is a handy addition, allowing you to control two devices with a single set of peripherals.
Though it doesn’t boast gaming features like a high refresh rate, its excellent colour reproduction (90.3% of DCI-P3) makes it a great option for content creation, office work, and media consumption.
- Ideal for: Creatives or professionals looking for a large 4K screen for design and content work. While great for creative work, the monitor does not support high refresh rates, so it’s less suitable for gaming.
Additional Considerations for 2024 Monitor Buyers
Refresh Rate vs. Resolution
When choosing a monitor, it’s essential to balance the refresh rate and resolution depending on your needs. For gaming, a higher refresh rate (75Hz or more) is crucial for smooth motion. However, for office work or design, higher resolutions like 1440p or 4K can offer better clarity and detail, making them more important than refresh rate.
Connectivity Options
As USB-C becomes more prevalent, it’s worth considering monitors that support this feature. It allows for single-cable setups that combine video, data, and power, streamlining your workspace. Monitors with HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.4 also provide flexibility, especially for dual-monitor setups.
Energy Efficiency
Look for energy-efficient models with lower power consumption, especially if you’re using the monitor for extended periods. Some budget monitors come with energy-saving modes, reducing your electricity bills and environmental impact.
Conclusion
Monitors under £300 in 2024 offer an impressive array of features, ensuring that you don’t need to compromise on quality or performance. Whether you’re a professional, gamer, or casual user, there’s a monitor on this list that will suit your needs. From the versatile BenQ GW2785TC to the ultra-sharp Iiyama ProLite XUB3293UHSN-B5, these options prove that affordability doesn’t mean sacrificing functionality.
Be sure to check for sales and compare prices across retailers to get the best deal. Whether for work, play, or creativity, 2024’s budget monitors deliver exceptional value and performance.
