Gaming has always been a popular pastime activity for teens and young adults. And it only gains momentum these days. According to surveys, as many as 70% of college students are playing computer, online, or video games at least once in a while, and 65% admit that they are regular or occasional players.
The numbers shouldn’t surprise you, though. In today’s colleges, students are experiencing a huge academic load and high levels of stress due to endless academic papers and other assignments. Video games, in their turn, are scientifically proven to boost dopamine release and, thus, help young people reduce daily stress and anxiety.
Thus, when students start spending hours playing games and even request to edit my paper services to get more time for gaming without sacrificing their academic performance, that’s natural. It’s just their way of coping with stress. And, if you are one of them, this guide is for you! We all know that exceptional gaming experiences require special gear, which can be too expensive for students. So, we’ve gathered a list of the top six best monitors you can get on a student budget!
Acer Nitro VG240Y 24-inch
Price: $200
Acer’s Nitro monitor is one of the best pocket-friendly options for 1080p gaming. One of the best things it has to offer is reduced tearing on quickly-moving objects. This fact makes it great for fast-paced gaming. Some of the core tech specs you should know about include:
- 144Hz
- AMD FreeSync
- 1ms response time
- 250 nits brightness.
These features make Nitro a great value for money. For only $200 (on Amazon), you can ensure a fantastic experience with no tearing and a high-quality image. So, if you are not looking for resolutions higher than 1080p, Acer Nitro might be one of the wisest choices out there.
Monoprice Dark Matter 24-inch
Price: $230
Slightly more expensive than Acer Nitro, Monoprice Dark Matter is also considered one of the best monitors for 1080p resolutions. Working at 1080p resolution, Monoprice Dark Matter reduces the load on entry-level graphics cards and helps you get a solid image with anti-aliasing.
A few other details worth noting about this option:
- 144Hz
- AMD FreeSync & NVIDIA G-Sync
- 1ms response time
- 286 nits brightness.
One more thing you must know about Monoprice Dark Matter is that it comes without built-in speakers. This is one of the reasons for a good price. So, if you get this one, you might also want to invest in high-quality PC speakers. But, we recommend getting wireless headphones for a better gaming experience and ensuring that you don’t bother your dorm roommates.
LG 27QN600-B 27-inch
Price: $247
Although playing at 1080p can significantly improve the work of your graphics card (especially if the one you have is entry-level), 1440p is still the most common resolution used by gamers. The reason for this is that it is an attainable in-between indicator that stands for above-the-standard quality and manageable workload. For this resolution, LG 27QN600-B must be the best affordable option.
Here is what it has for you:
- 350 nits brightness
- AMD FreeSync
- HDR10
- 5ms response time
- 75Hz.
Despite a higher than standard response time, LG 27QN600-B performs great. It gives you bright colors, smooth movement, and outstanding experiences. Besides, this 27-inch display looks quite stylish. So, with all the benefits we’ve told you about, it is really worth buying for students who want to enjoy gaming on a budget.
BenQ EL2870U 28-inch
Price: from $249.99
If you feel like 1080p and even 1440p are just not enough for you, you probably want to push the resolution to 4K. This makes sense for dedicated gamers and those students who prefer more graphically intense games. In any case, BenQ EL2870U is the best pocket-friendly monitor for this purpose. It supports 3840x2160p, at the same time, sticking to 60Hz. It also supports anti-tearing technology so that users don’t face any image sync issues, which can be super irritating while playing.
Other specs are:
- 1ms response time
- HDR10
- AMD FreeSync
- 60Hz.
Given all its characteristics and a fairly low price, BenQ EL2870U is one of the cheapest ways to enjoy gaming in high resolution. It also lacks built-in speakers. But, thanks to a featured 3.5mm jack port, this shouldn’t be a problem even if you lack the budget for purchasing speakers. All in all, thanks to the rest of the benefits this monitor has, it is a cool option at this price point, so be sure to consider it.
ASUS TUF Gaming VG30VQL1A 30-inch
Price: $350
There is no secret that ultrawide monitors are great for gamers. They allow more immersion and provide better graphics for incredible experiences. As you must know, such screens can come at a pretty high price tag. But not this one. ASUS TUF Gaming VG30VQL1A is deservedly called the best pocket-friendly ultrawide monitor out there. It features an awesome 30-inch curved screen that supports 2560x1080p resolution.
Other special characteristics include:
- 1ms response time
- AMD FreeSync
- HDR10
- 2560x1080p.
Despite a fairly low resolution, ASUS TUF has quite a few visual benefits that students will love. Thanks to a high response time, compatibility with AMD FreeSync, and most NVIDIA G-Sync tech, it shows a super-smooth image on a screen as wide and large as you can get at this resolution. At the same time, it doesn’t push your GPU too hard, so it is a win-win deal, especially if you are a fan of more complex games but have rather mediocre computer components.
ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM 25-inch
Price: $299
Another awesome option offered by ASUS is TUF Gaming VG259QM. It is the best you can get if you are hunting for the maximum frame and refresh rates. At a super-low price of $299, this monitor allows you to run 1080p resolution at 240Hz, which works great for mid-range graphics cards.
The core specs you should be aware of include:
- AMD FreeSync & NVIDIA G-Sync
- 400 nits brightness
- HDR10
- Low contrast ratio.
One more thing worth noting about this screen is its certification for NVIDIA G-Sync tech and a stunning 0.5ms response time. Going over the rest of the options on our list, ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM has the fastest response time at this budget. So, if you are looking for peak performance and a smooth image with no tearing at a pocket-friendly price, this is a great opportunity for you.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to gear for gamers, a monitor is one of the most important things. It can either maximize the output of your CPU and graphics card or hold it back. As a result, the games can either look stunning or poor on your screen, which directly affects the experience you will get. That’s why choosing the right option is so important.
The good news is that there are plenty of opportunities even for students with shoestring budgets. Now, you have a list of some of the best monitors available at budget-friendly prices. Pick the one that suits your needs most and enjoy stunning gaming experiences. And don’t forget that gaming reduces stress, so it’s okay to let yourself relax a little, especially in the competitive and stressful college environment!