Best Monitors for Under $350: 240Hz Gaming and Work Picks (2026)

A 350-dollar budget reaches further than the tier below it, with 240Hz 1440p panels, 34 inch ultrawide screens, and a 4K color accurate display all in reach. The best monitors for under 350 in this guide are eight real models with maker published specs, from fast gaming screens to wide ultrawide panels and a creator focused 4K display.

Quick verdict on the best monitors for under 350

Start with the LG 27GR83Q-B if you want the fastest screen at this tier, because its IPS panel pairs a 240Hz refresh rate with a 1 ms GtG response time and 95 percent DCI-P3 color. The ASUS VG27AQ3A suits competitive play at 180Hz, while the Gigabyte G34WQC A and the Dell S3422DWG bring 34 inch ultrawide screens to this tier for the first time.

If color work is the top priority, the ASUS ProArt PA279CRV is the clear pick, with a 4K panel, 99 percent DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB coverage, and a factory calibration listing a Delta E under 2. The MSI G274QPF-QD adds quantum dot color at 170Hz, the Dell S2721DGF pairs a Nano IPS panel with 98 percent DCI-P3, and the Samsung Odyssey G5 G55C is the curved VA pick for deep blacks.

Quick comparison table

Use this table to narrow the list before you read the detailed sections. It compares panel size and type, resolution and refresh rate, response time type, and the best use for each model, because those four points decide gaming speed, image sharpness, and color work at this tier.

How we selected these monitors

Every model here is a real monitor with a published datasheet, and every figure in this guide comes from the maker or a reliable spec listing. Models were kept only if their published specs fit the 350-dollar tier as a mainstream gaming or work screen, and the reasons for leaving others out are stated in the buying guide.

Why the best monitors for under 350 list starts at 240Hz

A 240Hz refresh rate is the headline change at this tier, because the LG 27GR83Q-B brings a speed that sat in a higher tier a short time ago. That rate redraws the screen 240 times per second, so fast motion stays smooth and input feels direct, and the panel still runs at 2560 x 1440, which keeps text and game detail sharp on a 27 inch screen.

The rest of the list is nearly as fast, with 180Hz, 170Hz, and 165Hz models filling the next rungs down. Only the two ultrawide screens run at 144Hz, and only the 4K color screen runs at 60Hz, so buyers who rank speed first have five models above 160Hz to choose from here.

Response time types: GtG, MPRT, and VRB

Response time figures look similar across spec sheets, but the type label changes what the number means, so this guide states the type for every model. GtG, or gray to gray, measures how fast a pixel changes from one shade of gray to another, and it is the figure LG, ASUS, MSI, and Dell publish for their fastest models here.

MPRT, or moving picture response time, measures perceived motion blur instead, and it is usually achieved with backlight strobing, which is why Samsung lists 1 ms MPRT on the G55C and Gigabyte lists 1 ms MPRT on the G34WQC A. The Dell S3422DWG lists both figures, with 2 ms GtG and 1 ms MPRT, while the Gigabyte G34WQC A has no GtG figure published by the maker, so this guide states only the MPRT figure for that model.

Why ultrawide and 4K screens fit this tier now

Two 34 inch ultrawide screens and one 27 inch 4K screen fit this tier because panel costs for those formats have fallen enough for mainstream models to reach it. The ultrawide pair runs at 3440 x 1440 and 144Hz, which suits both gaming and side by side windows, while the 4K ProArt panel trades refresh rate for sharpness and color accuracy at 60Hz.

That mix is what sets this tier apart from the 300-dollar tier, where ultrawide screens were absent and the only 4K option ran at 60Hz with a narrower gamut. Buyers who want a wider desk or a sharper image no longer need to step up a tier, though a 32 inch high refresh screen and a 4K gaming panel still sit above it.

The eight monitors in detail

Each section below follows the same pattern, so you can compare the models side by side. It starts with who the model fits best, then covers the panel, the refresh rate, the response time type, the color gamut, and the ports. Each profile also notes when to buy it and when to skip it.

LG 27GR83Q-B

This monitor fits buyers who want the fastest screen at this tier, because it pairs a 240Hz IPS panel with wide color and both major sync standards. The LG 27GR83Q-B is a 27 inch IPS monitor with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 240Hz refresh rate, and a published 1 ms GtG response time.

LG lists 240Hz as the native rate, with the 1 ms GtG figure applying in the Faster response time mode, and the panel covers 95 percent DCI-P3 with 1.07 billion colors. LG also lists VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification, and the monitor is NVIDIA tested and G-SYNC Compatible while also carrying AMD FreeSync Premium, so it works with graphics cards from both makers.

Ports include two HDMI 2.1 ports and one DisplayPort 1.4, plus a USB hub and a headphone jack, and both connections support the full 240Hz rate. The stand adjusts height, tilt, swivel, and pivot for portrait use, and the monitor supports a 100 x 100 mm VESA mount. Note that reaching 240Hz in demanding games needs a strong graphics card, since a mid range card will not sustain that frame rate at 1440p, and the Faster overdrive setting can add visible overshoot on some content.

Pros: 240Hz with 1 ms GtG, 95 percent DCI-P3 and HDR400, HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 both at 240Hz, G-SYNC Compatible and FreeSync Premium, full ergonomic stand.

Cons: Needs a strong graphics card for 240Hz, Faster mode can add overshoot, HDR400 brightness is modest, and no USB-C input.

Buy it for the fastest 1440p gaming at this tier with wide color. Skip it if your graphics card cannot push past 144 frames per second, or you need USB-C video input.

ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ3A

This monitor fits competitive gamers who want a 180Hz Fast IPS screen with blur reduction and both sync standards at a step below the 240Hz flagship. The ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ3A is a 27 inch Fast IPS monitor with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 180Hz refresh rate, and a published 1 ms GtG response time.

ASUS lists a 180Hz maximum refresh rate over DisplayPort, with 144Hz as the ceiling over HDMI, and the 1 ms GtG figure comes with ELMB Sync, which lets backlight strobing run at the same time as variable refresh. The panel covers 130 percent sRGB, and ASUS lists HDR10 support plus FreeSync Premium, G-SYNC Compatible, and VESA AdaptiveSync operation.

Ports include HDMI and DisplayPort, plus an earphone jack and built in speakers, and the monitor supports a 100 x 100 mm VESA mount. ASUS also adds game focused extras in the on screen menu, including a crosshair overlay, a timer, and a frame rate counter. Note that the 180Hz rate needs DisplayPort, since HDMI tops out at 144Hz, and the panel brightness is listed at 250 nits, which is lower than the 350 and 400 nit panels in this group, so HDR10 here is a compatibility label rather than a bright HDR experience.

Pros: 180Hz with 1 ms GtG, ELMB Sync with variable refresh, FreeSync Premium and G-SYNC Compatible, HDR10 support, built in speakers.

Cons: 180Hz needs DisplayPort, 250 nits brightness is modest, no USB hub or USB-C, and the stand spec varies by region.

Buy it for competitive 1440p gaming at 180Hz with blur reduction. Skip it if you need USB-C for a laptop, or you want a brighter HDR panel.

MSI G274QPF-QD

This monitor fits buyers who want quantum dot color with a 170Hz refresh rate, plus a USB-C port for a laptop on the same desk. The MSI G274QPF-QD is a 27 inch Rapid IPS monitor with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 170Hz refresh rate, and published 1 ms GtG and 1 ms MPRT response time figures.

MSI lists 170Hz as the maximum rate, with 165Hz as the default and the top rate reached through a DisplayPort overclock setting in the menu. The quantum dot panel covers a wide gamut that MSI lists at 98 percent DCI-P3, and the monitor carries VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification with 400 nits of peak brightness. Adaptive sync covers both FreeSync Premium and G-SYNC Compatible operation.

Ports include one DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 ports, and one USB-C port with 15W power delivery, plus a headphone jack. The stand adjusts height, tilt, swivel, and pivot, and the monitor supports a 100 x 100 mm VESA mount. Note that HDMI tops out at 144Hz on this model, so the full 170Hz rate needs DisplayPort, and the 15W USB-C charging suits a phone or a small device rather than a full size laptop, which still needs its own charger.

Pros: 170Hz with 1 ms GtG and 1 ms MPRT, quantum dot wide color, DisplayHDR 400, USB-C input, full ergonomic stand.

Cons: 170Hz needs a DisplayPort overclock, HDMI tops out at 144Hz, USB-C charging is only 15W, and no built in speakers are listed.

Buy it for wide color gaming at 170Hz with a USB-C laptop connection. Skip it if you need full laptop charging over USB-C, or you want 170Hz over HDMI.

Dell S2721DGF

This monitor fits buyers who want a Nano IPS panel with wide color and both sync standards, plus a build quality that has made this model a long running favorite. The Dell S2721DGF is a 27 inch Fast IPS monitor with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, and a published 1 ms GtG response time in Extreme mode.

Dell lists 165Hz as the native rate over DisplayPort, with 144Hz over HDMI, and the response time is listed as 1 ms GtG in Extreme mode and 4 ms GtG in Fast mode. The Nano IPS panel covers 98 percent DCI-P3 and 133 percent sRGB with 1.07 billion colors, and Dell lists VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification with 400 nits of brightness. Adaptive sync runs through FreeSync Premium Pro and G-SYNC Compatible certification.

Ports include HDMI and DisplayPort, plus a USB hub and a headphone jack, and the stand adjusts height, tilt, swivel, and pivot. The monitor supports a 100 x 100 mm VESA mount, and Dell adds a dark stabilizer setting that brightens shadow detail in games. Note that the 1 ms GtG figure needs Extreme mode, where slight artifacts can appear on some content, and the model has no sRGB emulation mode, so sRGB content can look oversaturated unless the color is managed in software.

Pros: 1 ms GtG in Extreme mode at 165Hz, 98 percent DCI-P3 Nano IPS color, HDR400, FreeSync Premium Pro and G-SYNC Compatible, USB hub and full stand.

Cons: 1 ms GtG needs Extreme mode, no sRGB emulation mode, 165Hz needs DisplayPort, and no USB-C input.

Buy it for wide color gaming and work with a proven Nano IPS panel. Skip it if you need accurate sRGB out of the box, or you want USB-C video input.

Samsung Odyssey G5 G55C

This monitor fits buyers who want a tightly curved VA screen with deep blacks and a 165Hz refresh rate, without paying for a wide color gamut they may not need. The Samsung Odyssey G5 G55C is a 27 inch VA monitor with a 1000R curve, a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, and a published 1 ms MPRT response time.

Samsung lists a 165Hz maximum refresh rate and a 1 ms MPRT figure that applies in Extreme mode, and the VA panel carries a 2500 to 1 contrast ratio, which is two and a half times the 1000 to 1 figure on the IPS models here. Samsung lists HDR10 support with 300 nits of brightness, and adaptive sync runs through AMD FreeSync Premium, with a low input lag mode and an Ultrawide Game View setting that forces a 21 to 9 aspect ratio for supported games.

Ports include one HDMI 2.0 port and one DisplayPort 1.2, plus a headphone jack, and the stand adjusts height by 120 mm and pivots into portrait. The monitor supports a 100 x 100 mm VESA mount. Note that the 1 ms figure is MPRT, not GtG, so it describes perceived motion blur rather than pixel transition speed, and Samsung does not publish a GtG figure for this model. VA panels also show slower dark transitions than IPS panels, so fast moving dark objects can smear slightly.

Pros: 1000R curved VA screen, 2500 to 1 contrast, 1 ms MPRT at 165Hz, FreeSync Premium, low input lag mode.

Cons: 1 ms figure is MPRT only, VA dark smearing on fast motion, only one HDMI port, and no USB hub or USB-C.

Buy it for immersive curved gaming with deep blacks. Skip it if you need a published GtG figure, or you run two consoles from one screen.

Gigabyte G34WQC A

This monitor fits buyers who want a 34 inch ultrawide screen for gaming and side by side windows, with a strong contrast ratio and a wide color gamut. The Gigabyte G34WQC A is a 34 inch VA monitor with a 1500R curve, a 3440 x 1440 resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a published 1 ms MPRT response time.

Gigabyte lists a 144Hz maximum refresh rate, a 4000 to 1 contrast ratio, and 90 percent DCI-P3 color coverage with 120 percent sRGB, plus VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification and 350 nits of brightness. The 21 to 9 aspect ratio gives about a third more horizontal space than a 27 inch 16 to 9 screen, so two full windows sit side by side without overlap, and adaptive sync runs through AMD FreeSync Premium.

Ports include two DisplayPort 1.4 ports and two HDMI 2.0 ports, plus two 2W speakers and a headphone jack, and the stand adjusts height and tilt. The monitor supports a 100 x 100 mm VESA mount. Note that Gigabyte does not publish a GtG figure for this model, so the 1 ms figure here is MPRT only, and VA panels show slower dark transitions than IPS panels. The 1500R curve also suits a single screen gaming desk better than a shared screen viewed from the side.

Pros: 34 inch ultrawide at 144Hz, 4000 to 1 VA contrast, 90 percent DCI-P3 and HDR400, two DisplayPort and two HDMI ports, built in speakers.

Cons: No published GtG figure, VA dark smearing on fast motion, 144Hz is the ceiling, and no USB-C input.

Buy it for ultrawide gaming and multitasking with deep blacks. Skip it if you need a published GtG figure, or you share the screen from the side.

Dell S3422DWG

This monitor fits buyers who want a 34 inch ultrawide screen with the strongest sync support in this group, plus a USB hub for a tidy desk. The Dell S3422DWG is a 34 inch VA monitor with an 1800R curve, a 3440 x 1440 resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and published 2 ms GtG and 1 ms MPRT response time figures.

Dell lists a 144Hz maximum refresh rate over DisplayPort, with 100Hz over HDMI, and the response time is listed as 2 ms GtG in Extreme mode and 1 ms MPRT in the strobe backlight mode. The VA panel carries a 3000 to 1 contrast ratio and 90 percent DCI-P3 coverage, and Dell lists VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification with 400 nits of brightness. Adaptive sync runs through FreeSync Premium Pro with a 48 to 144Hz range.

Ports include HDMI and DisplayPort, plus a USB hub and a headphone jack, and the stand adjusts height and tilt. The monitor supports a 100 x 100 mm VESA mount, and Dell adds a dark stabilizer setting for shadow detail in games. Note that the 144Hz rate needs DisplayPort, since HDMI tops out at 100Hz, and the 1800R curve is gentler than the 1500R curve on the Gigabyte, so it feels less immersive up close but suits a wider desk better.

Pros: 34 inch ultrawide at 144Hz, 2 ms GtG and 1 ms MPRT, FreeSync Premium Pro, 3000 to 1 contrast, USB hub.

Cons: 144Hz needs DisplayPort, HDMI tops out at 100Hz, VA dark smearing on fast motion, and no USB-C input.

Buy it for ultrawide gaming with the widest sync range here. Skip it if you connect over HDMI and need 144Hz, or you want a tighter curve.

ASUS ProArt PA279CRV

This monitor fits photo and video editors who need accurate color and sharp 4K text at this tier, because its factory calibration is the most color focused spec in this guide. The ASUS ProArt PA279CRV is a 27 inch IPS monitor with a 3840 x 2160 resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, and a published 5 ms GtG response time.

ASUS lists 99 percent DCI-P3 and 99 percent Adobe RGB coverage, a Delta E under 2, and a Calman Verified calibration report shipped with each unit. The panel runs at 350 nits of brightness with 400 nits peak in HDR mode, and ASUS lists VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification with HDR10 support. The pixel density works out to about 163 pixels per inch, so text looks printed on paper and photos show fine detail.

Ports include DisplayPort, two HDMI ports, and one USB-C port with 96W power delivery, plus a USB hub, two speakers, and a headphone jack. The stand adjusts height, tilt, swivel, and pivot for portrait editing, and the monitor supports a 100 x 100 mm VESA mount. Note that the 60Hz refresh rate and 5 ms GtG response time rule out competitive gaming, and the 96W USB-C charging is the strongest laptop charging figure in this group, which suits a single cable editing desk.

Pros: 4K IPS with 163 pixels per inch, 99 percent DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB, Delta E under 2 with Calman Verified report, USB-C with 96W charging, HDR400.

Cons: 60Hz and 5 ms GtG rule out fast gaming, HDR400 brightness is modest, no high refresh mode, and the design is plain next to gaming screens.

Buy it for color accurate photo and video work with sharp 4K text. Skip it if you play fast competitive games, or you need a refresh rate above 60Hz.

Buying guide for best monitors for under 350

Start with the refresh rate and resolution pairing, because that choice shapes everything else at this tier. A 27 inch 1440p screen at 240Hz suits competitive gaming, a 34 inch ultrawide at 144Hz suits gaming plus multitasking, and a 4K screen at 60Hz suits sharp text and color work.

Matching refresh rate and resolution to your graphics card

A 1440p screen at 240Hz needs a graphics card that can sustain very high frame rates at that resolution, and an older or entry level card will not reach the top rate in demanding games. That does not make the monitor a bad buy, since the screen still shows every frame the card produces, and desktop work looks smooth at any frame rate.

DisplayPort is the safe route to the top refresh rate on nearly every high refresh model here, because HDMI tops out lower on several of them. The ASUS VG27AQ3A and the MSI G274QPF-QD both need DisplayPort for their top rates, and the Dell S3422DWG needs DisplayPort for 144Hz, so check the outputs on your computer before ordering.

Panel types: IPS, VA, curved, and ultrawide

Five of the eight models here use an IPS panel, which holds color and viewing angles well, and that is why IPS leads this tier for mixed gaming and work. IPS panels share a 1000 to 1 contrast ratio, so blacks look gray in a dark room, and buyers who watch movies in the dark should know that limit before they buy.

The three VA models trade viewing angles for contrast, with ratios from 2500 to 1 up to 4000 to 1, so dark scenes show more depth and less gray wash. The two ultrawide screens add a third choice, width, with a 21 to 9 aspect ratio that fits two windows side by side, while the curved screens add immersion for gaming but add little for documents. Pick IPS for viewing angles and color consistency, VA for contrast, and ultrawide for desk space.

Ports, stands, and USB-C for a tidy desk

Ports decide whether a monitor fits your desk, and the spread in this group is wide enough to matter. The ASUS ProArt PA279CRV leads on connectivity, with USB-C and 96W power delivery for a laptop, while the LG 27GR83Q-B leads on video bandwidth, with HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 both reaching 240Hz.

The Gigabyte G34WQC A has the most video inputs, with two DisplayPort and two HDMI ports, while the Samsung G55C has only one HDMI port, so a two console setup needs a switch. Stands vary just as much: the LG, MSI, Dell, and ASUS models adjust height, tilt, swivel, and pivot, while the two ultrawide screens adjust height and tilt only. Every model here supports a 100 x 100 mm VESA mount, so a monitor arm fixes any stand limit.

What sits above this tier and what to skip

Several monitors sit just above this tier and were left out for clear reasons, and knowing why helps you avoid a wrong purchase. A 27 inch 4K screen at 144Hz, a 32 inch 1440p screen at 165Hz, and a 27 inch OLED screen all sit in higher tiers, because the panel cost rises sharply with size, resolution, and refresh rate combined.

What to skip depends on the mismatch, not the model. Skip a 240Hz gaming screen if your graphics card cannot push past 144 frames per second, skip a curved VA screen if you share the screen from the side, and skip a 4K 60Hz screen if fast gaming is the goal. The eight models here cover gaming speed, ultrawide space, and color work, so matching the panel to the use case will find a fit without leaving the tier.

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, cables, ultrawide screens, and color work, because those four points decide most purchases in this group, so read them before you buy.

Is 240Hz worth it over 165Hz at this tier

It depends on what you play most, because the two rates trade smoothness against the graphics card power needed to reach them. A 240Hz screen redraws the image 240 times per second, which suits fast shooters and racing games where every frame counts, while a 165Hz screen still looks smooth and needs far less graphics power to reach its top rate.

For most buyers at this tier, 165Hz or 180Hz is the better all round choice, because five models here offer it and mid range cards can reach it. Pick 240Hz only if your graphics card can sustain very high frame rates at 1440p, and you play fast games where the extra smoothness is visible.

Do I need a DisplayPort cable for the top refresh rate

Yes, you need a DisplayPort cable for the top refresh rate, because HDMI tops out lower on several of them. The ASUS VG27AQ3A and the MSI G274QPF-QD both reach their top rates only over DisplayPort, and the Dell S3422DWG needs DisplayPort for 144Hz, while the LG 27GR83Q-B is the exception, with HDMI 2.1 also reaching 240Hz.

After setup, open the display settings on your computer and confirm the refresh rate reads at the top rate and the resolution reads as listed, because a new monitor can default to a lower mode. Turn on any overclock setting in the monitor menu first, then set the rate in your operating system.

Which ultrawide model suits gaming and work best

The Gigabyte G34WQC A suits gaming best, because its 1500R curve is tighter and its 4000 to 1 contrast ratio is the highest in this group, so dark game scenes show more depth. The Dell S3422DWG suits mixed work best, because its FreeSync Premium Pro range and USB hub fit a desk where the screen serves both gaming and office tasks.

Both models run at 3440 x 1440 and 144Hz, and both cover 90 percent DCI-P3, so the choice comes down to curve, contrast, and connectivity. Pick the Gigabyte for immersion and contrast, and pick the Dell for the wider sync range and the USB hub.

Which model in this guide suits color work best

The ASUS ProArt PA279CRV suits color work best, because it is the only model here with a factory calibration report, a Delta E under 2, and full DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB coverage. Those figures matter for photo and video editing, where consistent color from screen to print decides whether the work holds up.

The Dell S2721DGF is the best color alternative in this guide, with 98 percent DCI-P3 coverage on a Nano IPS panel, plus a 165Hz refresh rate for gaming after work. The LG 27GR83Q-B is the fastest option, with a 240Hz rate and 95 percent DCI-P3, while the ProArt is the sharpest, with a 4K panel that suits a desk where editing is the only job.

Conclusion

Choose the LG 27GR83Q-B for the fastest 240Hz gaming, the Gigabyte G34WQC A or the Dell S3422DWG for ultrawide space, the ASUS VG27AQ3A for 180Hz competitive play, the MSI G274QPF-QD for quantum dot color, or the ASUS ProArt PA279CRV for 4K color work, and confirm the ports and refresh rate fit your computer before ordering.