Buying the best gaming monitor for under $400 does come with a number of expectations. For example, you can’t expect to buy a 4K 144Hz monitor for $350 – those specifications usually yield a much higher price tag. Unlike the best gaming monitor for under $200 though, you don’t have to make as many sacrifices when doubling your budget to $400.
That said, and for those that aren’t up to date on the latest monitor technology, below are some of the main expectations of buying a monitor in this particular price range:
Refresh Rate
Putting it simply, refresh rates are one of – if not the – most important specifications you can consider when purchasing a monitor for competitive gaming. Refresh rate refers to the number of times your panel refreshes itself – with panels ranging from 60hz up to 360hz. Unfortunately, buying a monitor within the $400 price spectrum will limit the refresh rate you can go for.
360Hz monitors are the latest to arrive on shelves, most of which retail for well above $400. That said, you can still get a decent competitive gaming monitor (240Hz) for this price point – as you’ll soon see.
Screen size
Screen size is often considered an expensive premium to have in a monitor, so don’t be expecting to buy a 49″ gaming monitor for under $400. That said, there are still plenty of options available for individuals that want that ‘larger screen’ gaming experience. For example, there are several decent 34″ gaming monitors available today that fall well below the $400 price zone.
Resolution
Resolution is a slightly different story. If you want that gorgeous 4K gaming experience with silky smooth gameplay, chances are, you’ll need to fork out a little bit more for your monitor. However, if you’re the sort of person that doesn’t require lightning-quick refresh rates, there may be a couple of UHD options available.
HDR
Pretty much every monitor under the sun can now lay claim to VESA DisplayHDR400. However, that is the entry-level standard and doesn’t really offer any of the benefits that HDR bring to the table. The higher end of the HDR spectrum (600-1400) will likely see the price of the monitor surpass $400 – as this standard is saved for manufacturers’ premium offerings.
