Best Monitors for Console Gaming Under $100 for PS5 and Xbox (2026)

A television is not the only way to play a console, and a small desk setup can feel sharper and closer than a shared living room screen. The best monitors for console gaming under 100 in this guide are real 1080p screens with HDMI, sized for a bedroom or dorm, with clear notes on sound, refresh rate, and the features this budget cannot buy.

Quick verdict on the best monitors for console gaming under 100

If you want the simplest console setup, buy the Sceptre E248W-19203R, because it is a 23.8-inch screen with two HDMI ports and built-in speakers, so a console can connect and produce sound without extra speakers or headphones. It fits a PS5, an Xbox Series X or S, or a docked Switch on a small desk.

If you prefer an IPS panel with wider viewing angles, the BenQ GW2480 is the safer pick, with built-in speakers, HDMI, DisplayPort, and VGA, plus eye comfort features for long sessions. The ASUS VY249HE, Dell S2421HN, LG 24MP400-B, and AOC 24B2XH suit players who already own speakers or a headset, while the Acer SB220Q bi fits the smallest desks.

Quick comparison table

Use this table to narrow the list before you read the detailed sections. It compares the panel, the refresh rate, the console connection, and the sound option each manufacturer publishes, plus the buyer each model fits best. All seven models display 1920 x 1080, so the differences that matter are panel type, speakers, and ports.

How we selected these monitors

We started with the budget as the keyword states it: one monitor under 100, not a television or a premium gaming display. That rule shaped every choice below, because a 4K screen, a 120Hz or faster panel, or an HDMI 2.1 input would break the budget, while a 1080p screen with HDMI fits it.

We also required a real, currently listed monitor with published specifications from its manufacturer or a reliable specification source. Every model here has at least one HDMI port, so a PS5, an Xbox Series X or S, or a docked Nintendo Switch can connect directly, and each one adds a different strength, such as two HDMI ports, built-in speakers, or an IPS panel.

What 1080p and 60Hz mean on a console

A 1080p monitor shows a PS5 or Xbox game at 1920 x 1080, which is the resolution these consoles output comfortably over HDMI 1.4, and a 60Hz panel shows up to 60 frames each second. Most story games, sports games, and casual online games run well within those limits, so the picture stays sharp and smooth for everyday play.

A 75Hz panel can show a smoother desktop picture and smoother motion in games that support a higher frame rate, but it does not turn a 60Hz console output into 120Hz play. The honest limit is that none of these monitors supports 120Hz console play, 4K resolution, or HDMI 2.1, so buyers who want those features need a larger budget and a different class of display.

Why HDMI and built-in speakers matter more than extra ports

HDMI is the connection that matters for a console, because every current console outputs video and audio over HDMI, while VGA and DisplayPort do not carry a console signal. A monitor with two HDMI ports is useful when two consoles share one desk, because you can leave both plugged in and switch inputs instead of swapping cables.

Built-in speakers matter for the same reason, because many budget monitors have no speakers at all, and a console connected to one of them will show the picture with no sound. Only two models in this guide list built-in speakers, so the other five need a headset, a soundbar, or external speakers, and that extra cost should be part of the decision.

What we did not count as evidence

We did not claim any testing of our own, because this guide is based on published specifications and reputable product listings, not on a controlled laboratory test. We also did not count star ratings or retailer rankings as proof of quality, because those scores can reflect shipping, stock, or price as much as picture quality.

We did not treat a manufacturer claim as a measured result, and we did not invent a price for any model.

The seven monitors in detail

Each section below follows the same pattern, so you can compare the monitors side by side. It starts with who the monitor fits best, then covers the published specifications, the sound and connection trade-offs, and when to buy it or skip it. Each profile also notes the stand and ports.

Sceptre E248W-19203R

This monitor fits buyers who want the simplest console setup, because it is the only model in this guide with two HDMI ports and built-in speakers at the same time. It uses a 23.8-inch VA panel at 1920 x 1080, with a 75Hz refresh rate, 250 nits typical brightness, and a 3000:1 contrast ratio listed in specification sheets.

The two HDMI 1.4 ports let a PS5 and an Xbox, or a console and a Switch dock, stay connected at once, and the two 2W built-in speakers produce sound without extra equipment. Sceptre lists FreeSync over a 48Hz to 75Hz range, a VESA 100 x 100 mm mount, and a headphone output, so a headset can take over when the small speakers are not enough for a late-night session.

The trade-off is the VA panel, which gives deeper blacks than the IPS screens here but can shift color and brightness more when viewed from a sharp angle. That matters less when one player sits directly in front of the screen, which is the usual console setup, and the 75Hz refresh rate keeps motion smoother than a basic 60Hz panel.

Pros: Two HDMI ports for two consoles, built-in speakers, 75Hz VA panel with high contrast, and a VESA mount for an arm or wall bracket.

Cons: VA viewing angles are narrower than IPS, built-in speakers are basic in sound quality, and no DisplayPort is listed.

Buy it for the simplest plug-and-play console setup with sound included. Skip it if you often watch from a wide angle or want an IPS panel.

BenQ GW2480

This monitor fits buyers who want an IPS picture and built-in sound together, because it pairs a 23.8-inch IPS panel with two small speakers. It uses a 23.8-inch IPS panel at 1920 x 1080, with a 60Hz refresh rate, 250 nits typical brightness, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, and a 5ms response time listed in specification sheets.

BenQ lists HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort, and VGA inputs, plus a headphone jack and an audio line-in, so a console connects over HDMI while a computer can use DisplayPort. The two 1W built-in speakers are modest, but they remove the need for separate speakers on a first setup, and the VESA mount fits an arm or wall bracket when desk space is tight.

BenQ also lists Eye-Care features, including low blue light and flicker-free operation, plus Brightness Intelligence, which is designed to adjust brightness for the room. The main limit is the 60Hz refresh rate, which is lower than the 75Hz panels in this guide, although it still matches the 60 frames per second most console games target.

Pros: IPS panel with wide viewing angles, built-in speakers, HDMI plus DisplayPort plus VGA, and eye comfort features.

Cons: 60Hz refresh rate is lower than the 75Hz models here, speakers are modest at 1W each, and the stand adjusts for tilt only.

Buy it for an IPS console screen with sound and eye comfort features. Skip it if you want the smoothest 75Hz motion in this group.

ASUS VY249HE

This monitor fits buyers who want a smooth IPS screen and already own a headset or speakers, because it has no built-in speakers listed. It uses a 23.8-inch IPS panel at 1920 x 1080, with a 75Hz refresh rate, 250 nits typical brightness, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, and a 1ms MPRT response time listed in specification sheets.

ASUS lists one HDMI 1.4 port, one VGA port, and an earphone jack, plus FreeSync support and Eye Care Plus technology with a blue light filter, flicker-free operation, and a rest reminder. The 75Hz refresh rate and the listed 1ms MPRT figure suit fast-moving games better on paper than the 60Hz BenQ, although the console still outputs at its own frame rate.

The earphone jack is the key detail for console play, because it lets you plug headphones directly into the monitor and hear game audio over HDMI. The VESA mount fits an arm, while the included stand adjusts for tilt only, so the screen height is fixed unless you add a riser or an arm.

Pros: 75Hz IPS panel, 1ms MPRT listed, Eye Care Plus features, FreeSync support, and an earphone jack for headphones.

Cons: No built-in speakers are listed, only one HDMI port, and the stand adjusts for tilt only.

Buy it for smooth 75Hz IPS play with a headset. Skip it if you need sound from the monitor itself with no extra equipment.

Dell S2421HN

This monitor fits buyers who own two consoles, because each Dell S2421HN has two HDMI 1.4 ports and no other video input to complicate the choice. It uses a 23.8-inch IPS panel at 1920 x 1080, with a 75Hz refresh rate, 250 nits typical brightness, and a 4ms response time listed in specification sheets.

Dell lists ComfortView Plus, which is an always-on low blue light feature designed to reduce blue light while keeping color accurate, and a 1000:1 contrast ratio. The two HDMI ports mean a PS5 and an Xbox can stay connected at once, or a console and a streaming stick can share the screen, without swapping cables behind the desk.

The slim three-sided bezel design keeps the screen compact on a small desk, and the VESA 100 x 100 mm mount fits an arm or wall bracket. The limit is sound: no built-in speakers are listed, so you need a headset, a soundbar, or speakers connected to the console or to the monitor through the console controller.

Pros: Two HDMI ports for two consoles, 75Hz IPS panel, ComfortView Plus low blue light, slim bezels, and a VESA mount.

Cons: No built-in speakers are listed, no DisplayPort is listed, and the stand adjusts for tilt only.

Buy it for two consoles on one screen with no cable swapping. Skip it if you need built-in speakers or a DisplayPort input.

LG 24MP400-B

This monitor fits buyers who want a neat, slim console screen with a cable ready in the box, because LG includes an HDMI cable with this model. It uses a 23.8-inch IPS panel at 1920 x 1080, with a 75Hz refresh rate, 250 nits typical brightness, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, and a 5ms response time listed in specification sheets.

LG lists Reader Mode, which adjusts color temperature for reading, and AMD FreeSync support, plus a three-sided virtually borderless design that keeps the frame slim. The published ports are one HDMI port and one VGA port, so a single console connects directly over HDMI, and the included cable removes one small purchase from the setup.

The VESA mount uses a 75 x 75 mm pattern, which is smaller than the 100 x 100 mm pattern on most models here, so check an arm or bracket for that size before buying one. No built-in speakers are listed, so plan on a headset or external speakers, and the stand adjusts for tilt only.

Pros: Slim three-sided borderless design, HDMI cable included, Reader Mode, FreeSync support, and a 75Hz IPS panel.

Cons: VESA pattern is 75 x 75 mm rather than 100 x 100 mm, only one HDMI port, and no built-in speakers are listed.

Buy it for a tidy single-console setup with the cable included. Skip it if you need two HDMI ports or built-in speakers.

AOC 24B2XH

This monitor fits buyers who want a clean-looking IPS screen for a single console, because it has a three-sided frameless design and eye comfort features. It uses a 23.8-inch IPS panel at 1920 x 1080, with a 75Hz refresh rate, 250 nits typical brightness, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, and an 8ms GtG response time listed by AOC.

AOC lists Flicker Free technology and Low Blue Mode, which are designed to reduce onscreen flicker and blue light during long sessions. The published ports are one HDMI 1.4 port and one VGA port, and the VESA 100 x 100 mm mount fits a standard arm or wall bracket. The slim frame keeps the screen compact on a bedroom desk.

The stand adjusts for tilt only, from minus 3.5 degrees to 19 degrees, so you cannot raise the screen without a riser or an arm. The 8ms response time is slower than the 4ms and 5ms figures listed for other models here, but it matters less for story games and casual play than it does for fast competitive games on a PC.

Pros: Three-sided frameless design, Flicker Free and Low Blue Mode, VESA 100 x 100 mm mount, and HDMI plus VGA.

Cons: Only one HDMI port, no built-in speakers are listed, and the 8ms response time is slower than rivals here.

Buy it for a tidy single-console IPS setup with eye comfort features. Skip it if you need two HDMI ports or built-in speakers.

Acer SB220Q bi

This monitor fits buyers with a very small desk who want the most compact screen in this guide, because each Acer SB220Q bi is a 21.5-inch screen. It uses a 21.5-inch IPS panel at 1920 x 1080, with a 75Hz refresh rate over HDMI, 250 nits typical brightness, and a 4ms response time listed in specification sheets.

Acer lists a zero-frame design with thin bezels, AMD FreeSync support, and 178-degree viewing angles, which help a small screen stay readable from a bed or a chair beside the desk. The published ports are one HDMI port and one VGA port, so a single console connects directly, and the 75Hz refresh rate keeps motion smoother than a basic 60Hz panel.

The important limits are sound and mounting: no built-in speakers are listed in the Acer specification sheet, and Acer lists no VESA mount for this model, so you cannot put it on an arm. The screen must sit on its own tilt-only stand, and sound needs a headset or speakers connected through the console, which suits a small bedroom setup.

Pros: Compact 21.5-inch size for small desks, zero-frame design, HDMI plus VGA, and a 75Hz IPS panel with FreeSync.

Cons: No VESA mount is listed, so an arm is not possible, no built-in speakers are listed, and less screen room than 23.8-inch models.

Buy it for a compact single-console setup on a small desk. Skip it if you plan to mount the screen or need built-in speakers.

Buying guide for best monitors for console gaming under 100

Start with the console, not the monitor, because the console decides the resolution, the frame rate, and the sound route. A PS5, an Xbox Series X or S, and a docked Switch all output 1080p over HDMI, so any model in this guide can show the picture, but only two list built-in speakers, and none supports 4K, 120Hz play, or HDMI 2.1.

Then check the desk, because a 23.8-inch screen needs roughly the width of a small television, plus room for the console, a controller, and a headset. Measure the desk before ordering, and decide whether the screen will sit on its included stand or on an arm, because that choice decides which VESA pattern and stand options matter.

How to set up a console on a 1080p monitor

Connect the console to the monitor with an HDMI cable, then set the console video output to 1080p and the refresh rate to 60Hz, which matches the panels in this guide. Check the monitor input menu to confirm it is on the HDMI input, because a monitor with VGA as well may start on the wrong input after a power cut.

Place the screen at eye level and about an arm’s length away, with the console beside it rather than behind it, so the controller cable or charging cable does not pull across the screen. If the monitor has only one HDMI port, leave the console plugged in and use a separate input for a streaming stick only when the second device is actually needed.

How to get sound when a monitor has no speakers

Five models in this guide list no built-in speakers, so plan the sound route before you buy one of them. The simplest option is a headset plugged into the console controller, which works on PS5, Xbox, and Switch in handheld or docked play, and keeps late-night sound private.

A second option is a headset plugged into the monitor earphone jack, where one is listed, as on the ASUS VY249HE, or a soundbar or powered speakers connected to the console. Test the volume and the cable length before a long session, because a short headset cable can pull the controller, and a soundbar needs its own power outlet and space on the desk.

What to check before you buy for PS5, Xbox, or Switch

Check the HDMI version first, because none of these monitors lists HDMI 2.1, so a PS5 or Xbox Series X will not offer 120Hz play or 4K output on them. Set the console to 1080p and 60Hz, and expect variable refresh rate features that need HDMI 2.1 to stay unavailable, even when a game menu shows them.

Check the Switch separately, because a docked Switch outputs up to 1080p, which matches every screen here, and its small dock fits easily beside a 21.5-inch or 23.8-inch monitor.

Frequently asked questions

The questions below cover the choices that cause the most confusion after buyers have read the product sections. They focus on refresh rate, sound, and screen size, because those three points decide most purchases for console players in this budget group.

Can you get 120Hz from the best monitors for console gaming under 100?

No, you cannot get 120Hz console play from these monitors, because none of them lists a 120Hz panel or an HDMI 2.1 input, and 120Hz play on PS5 and Xbox Series X needs both. The 75Hz panels here can show smoother motion from a PC, but a console connected over HDMI 1.4 will run at 60Hz on these screens.

If 120Hz play matters to you, you need a monitor with a 120Hz or faster panel and HDMI 2.1, which sits in a higher price class than this guide covers. For story games, sports games, and casual online play at 60Hz, the 1080p screens here are a fair match for the budget.

Do you need built-in speakers for console gaming?

No, you do not need built-in speakers, because a headset plugged into the console controller gives clearer sound than the small speakers in a budget monitor, and a soundbar or powered speakers can do the same. Built-in speakers are convenient, but they are usually basic in quality and quiet at full volume.

Choose a model with built-in speakers, such as the Sceptre E248W-19203R or the BenQ GW2480, when you want the simplest setup with no extra equipment. Choose any other model here when you already own a headset or speakers, because the picture quality and the HDMI ports matter more than the speakers.

Is a 24-inch monitor big enough for console gaming in a bedroom?

Yes, a 23.8-inch monitor is big enough for console gaming in a bedroom, because you sit closer to a desk monitor than to a living room television, so the screen fills more of your view. A 21.5-inch screen, such as the Acer SB220Q bi, suits a very small desk, while a 23.8-inch screen suits most bedrooms and dorm rooms.

Measure the desk and the viewing distance before you choose, because a screen that is too large for the desk will sit too close and feel tiring, while a screen that is too small will feel cramped from a bed. For most single players at a desk, 23.8 inches is the comfortable middle ground in this guide.

Conclusion

Choose the Sceptre E248W-19203R for the simplest setup with speakers, the BenQ GW2480 for an IPS picture with sound, or the Dell S2421HN for two HDMI ports. Check the sound route and the current price first, then set the console to 1080p and 60Hz, plug in a headset if needed, and enjoy the game on your new screen.