For competitive gamers, every millisecond counts. A 240Hz monitor is a significant upgrade that provides an exceptionally smooth and responsive experience, making fast-paced action easier to track and giving you a tangible edge. While this high-refresh-rate technology was once a premium feature, it’s now more accessible than ever, allowing players on a budget to experience buttery-smooth gameplay without breaking the bank.
This roundup focuses on the most affordable 240Hz monitors available, proving that you don’t need to sacrifice performance for price. We’ve compiled a list of ten standout models from trusted brands like AOC, LG, and Acer, each offering the crucial 240Hz refresh rate alongside other gamer-centric features like fast response times and adaptive sync technologies. Whether you prefer immersive curved screens or color-accurate IPS panels, there’s a budget-friendly option here to elevate your setup.
Our Picks for the Best Budget 240Hz Monitors
- AOC C32G2ZE 32″ Curved Frameless Gaming Monitor
- AOC C27G2Z 27″ Curved Frameless Ultra-Fast Gaming Monitor
- Acer Nitro XZ270 27″ 1500R Curved Full HD Gaming Monitor
- LG 27GN750-B UltraGear Gaming Monitor 27” FHD IPS Display
- Lenovo Legion Y25-25 24.5-inch FHD LCD Gaming Monitor
- Monoprice 27 Inch Gaming Monitor, FHD, 240Hz, 1ms
- Sceptre Curved 32″ FHD 1080p Gaming Monitor Up to 240Hz
- Viotek GFT27CXB 27-Inch Gaming Monitor | 240Hz 1080p
- LG 27GP750-B 27” Ultragear FHD IPS Gaming Monitor
- Acer Nitro XV252Q 24.5″ Full HD 390Hz Gaming Monitor
AOC C32G2ZE 32″ Curved Frameless Gaming Monitor
For gamers seeking a truly immersive experience, the AOC C32G2ZE offers a massive 32-inch curved VA panel with a 1500R curvature that fills your peripheral vision. The combination of a 240Hz refresh rate and an incredibly fast 0.5ms MPRT response time ensures that even the most chaotic in-game action remains clear and free from distracting motion blur. This allows you to track fast-moving targets with precision and gain a critical reaction time advantage over your opponents.
AMD FreeSync Premium technology is a key feature, providing a seamlessly smooth and tear-free gaming experience by synchronizing the monitor’s refresh rate with your graphics card’s frame rate. It also includes Low Framerate Compensation (LFC) for consistent performance even when frame rates dip. With support for multiple consoles and a frameless design, this monitor is a versatile centerpiece for any budget gaming setup.
AOC C27G2Z 27″ Curved Frameless Ultra-Fast Gaming Monitor
The 27-inch version of AOC’s popular G2 series brings the same high-performance specs in a more standard screen size. It features the same rapid 0.5ms MPRT response and 240Hz refresh rate via DisplayPort, making it an excellent tool for competitive gaming. The 1500R curved VA panel provides a comfortable and engaging viewing experience without requiring you to turn your head during extended sessions.
This model also benefits from AMD FreeSync Premium, ensuring smooth gameplay without screen tearing or stuttering. A significant advantage is its fully adjustable stand, allowing you to customize the height, tilt, and swivel for the perfect ergonomic position. Backed by a 3-year zero-bright-dot warranty, this monitor offers great performance and peace of mind.
Acer Nitro XZ270 27″ 1500R Curved Full HD Gaming Monitor
Acer’s Nitro XZ270 is a strong contender in the budget 240Hz arena, featuring a 27-inch 1500R curved VA panel that pulls you into the game. The 240Hz refresh rate is complemented by a 1ms Visual Response Boost (VRB) setting, which helps to minimize ghosting and produce crisp imagery during fast motion. The zero-frame design is ideal for multi-monitor setups, creating a nearly seamless field of view.
With Adaptive-Sync technology, this monitor can match the refresh rate to your GPU’s output, reducing screen tearing for a smoother visual experience. It also includes built-in stereo speakers, which is a convenient bonus for those who don’t have dedicated desktop speakers. The combination of high refresh rate, curved immersion, and essential features makes the Nitro XZ270 a solid value.
LG 27GN750-B UltraGear Gaming Monitor 27” FHD IPS Display
The LG 27GN750-B stands out by bringing an IPS panel to the budget 240Hz category. IPS technology is renowned for its superior color accuracy and wide viewing angles compared to VA and TN panels. You get vibrant, consistent colors no matter your viewing position, which is great for both gaming and content consumption. The 1ms response time and 240Hz refresh rate ensure the speed needed for competitive play.
This monitor is officially NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible, meaning it has been tested to deliver a smooth, tear-free experience with NVIDIA graphics cards. Its three-side virtually borderless design offers a modern look and maximizes the screen real estate. For gamers who prioritize color fidelity alongside high frame rates, this LG UltraGear model is an exceptional choice.
Lenovo Legion Y25-25 24.5-inch FHD LCD Gaming Monitor
Designed with esports in mind, the Lenovo Legion Y25-25 features a compact 24.5-inch screen size that allows you to see the entire game scene without excessive eye movement. It uses an IPS panel with a fast 1ms response time and a 240Hz refresh rate, backed by AMD FreeSync Premium for exceptionally smooth and stutter-free gameplay. The 99% sRGB color gamut ensures vivid and accurate colors.
Beyond its gaming prowess, this monitor offers excellent connectivity. It includes a built-in USB 3.2 hub with four ports, allowing for easy access to charge devices or connect peripherals. The three-side NearEdgeless bezels contribute to a sleek, modern aesthetic that looks great on any desk, making it a perfect blend of form and function for the serious gamer.
Monoprice 27 Inch Gaming Monitor, FHD, 240Hz, 1ms
Monoprice’s Dark Matter monitor delivers premium features at a remarkably accessible price point. It boasts a fast IPS-type AHVA panel, which combines the color and viewing angle benefits of IPS with the speed required for high-refresh-rate gaming. With a 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, it is built to handle the most demanding competitive titles.
A significant advantage of this model is its VESA Certified DisplayHDR 400 support, which provides better contrast, higher peak brightness, and a wider color gamut than standard monitors. Coupled with AMD FreeSync Premium technology, you get a fluid, tear-free experience with enhanced image quality. This monitor proves that you don’t have to compromise on features to stay within a budget.
Sceptre Curved 32″ FHD 1080p Gaming Monitor Up to 240Hz
The Sceptre C325B-FWD240 offers a large 32-inch display with a 1800R curve for a highly immersive gaming experience at an aggressive price. It achieves a 240Hz refresh rate and a 1ms MPRT response time, which work together to eliminate motion blur and provide a clear advantage in fast-paced games. The high refresh rate ensures that frames transition instantly, keeping you responsive.
This monitor is well-equipped for connectivity with three HDMI ports and one DisplayPort, making it easy to connect multiple devices like gaming consoles and PCs simultaneously. It also includes built-in speakers, adding to its convenience as an all-in-one entertainment solution. For those who want a big screen and high performance on a tight budget, Sceptre delivers impressive value.
Viotek GFT27CXB 27-Inch Gaming Monitor | 240Hz 1080p
Viotek’s GFT27CXB uses a TN panel engineered for maximum speed, delivering a lightning-fast 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time that is ideal for competitive esports. What sets it apart is its claim of 99% sRGB color gamut coverage, offering more vibrant and accurate colors than typically expected from a TN panel. This allows for a visually appealing experience without sacrificing performance.
The monitor includes several gamer-focused utilities, such as customizable multi-user profiles to save your preferred settings and GAMEPLUS crosshair overlays for improved aiming in FPS games. With AMD FreeSync and G-SYNC readiness, it provides smooth gameplay across a wide range of hardware. Its fully adjustable stand ensures you can achieve the perfect viewing angle for long gaming sessions.
LG 27GP750-B 27” Ultragear FHD IPS Gaming Monitor
Another excellent IPS option from LG, the 27GP750-B is built for incredible speed and vibrant image quality. Its 27-inch IPS display delivers vivid colors, enhanced contrast, and wide viewing angles, while the 1ms response time and 240Hz refresh rate ensure the performance needed for competitive gaming. This monitor is designed to help you stay focused and react instantly to in-game action.
It is both NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible and supports AMD FreeSync Premium, offering broad compatibility with both major graphics card brands for a tear-free experience. The stand is fully adjustable with tilt, height, and pivot functionality, allowing for a comfortable and ergonomic setup. This model represents a refined package of display quality, high refresh rate performance, and user-friendly design.
Acer Nitro XV252Q 24.5″ Full HD 390Hz Gaming Monitor
For the aspiring esports professional who demands the absolute maximum performance, the Acer Nitro XV252Q goes beyond 240Hz to an astounding 390Hz refresh rate. This incredibly high refresh rate minimizes input lag and motion blur to a degree that can provide a tangible edge in high-level competitive play. The 24.5-inch Full HD IPS panel ensures fast pixel response and excellent color reproduction.
While it operates at 390Hz, its inclusion here is due to its often aggressive pricing that places it within reach of budget-conscious players seeking top-tier specs. It supports AMD FreeSync technology for smooth gameplay and features a zero-frame design for a seamless multi-monitor setup. If your system can push extremely high frame rates, this monitor is built to keep up without compromise.
Buying Guide: What to Look For in the Cheapest 240hz Monitors
When you’re hunting for the best value among the 10 cheapest 240hz monitors worth buying this year, you need to know what trade-offs you might be making for that lower price. A 240Hz refresh rate is fantastic for fast-paced gaming, making everything feel incredibly smooth and responsive. But the cheapest models often cut corners somewhere, so being an informed shopper is key.
First, let’s talk about the panel type. You’ll mostly find two types: IPS and VA. IPS panels are the most common in this category and for good reason. They offer great color accuracy and, most importantly, fantastic viewing angles. This means the picture looks consistent even if you’re not sitting directly in front of the screen. Their response times are typically fast, which is critical for eliminating motion blur in shooters and racing games. VA panels, on the other hand, usually have better contrast ratios, leading to deeper blacks. However, they can sometimes suffer from slower response times, which might cause some “black smearing” in fast-moving dark scenes. For competitive gaming, I generally lean towards IPS for its consistency.
Next, consider the resolution. At this budget-friendly 240Hz tier, 1080p (Full HD) is the standard. This is actually a good thing for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it’s much easier for your graphics card to drive games at 240 frames per second at 1080p compared to 1440p. Secondly, on the typical 24 to 25-inch screen size of these monitors, 1080p still looks plenty sharp. Stepping up to a 1440p 240Hz monitor will cost you significantly more, both for the monitor itself and for the high-end GPU required to power it.
Don’t ignore the feature set. Look for monitors that include Adaptive-Sync technology. This is either AMD FreeSync or NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible. This tech synchronizes your monitor’s refresh rate with your graphics card’s frame rate, which completely eliminates screen tearing and minimizes stuttering. It’s a game-changer for smooth gameplay. Also, check the connectivity. You’ll want at least one DisplayPort 1.4 connection to handle 240Hz at 1080p without any compression. Some monitors might also include useful gaming features like black stabilizers (to brighten dark areas) or on-screen crosshairs.
Finally, think about the design and ergonomics. The cheapest monitors often have very basic stands that only allow for tilt adjustment. If you want to adjust the height, swivel, or pivot the monitor into a vertical orientation, you might need to invest in a separate VESA mount. The build quality might also feel a bit more plastic-y, but the core performance is what you’re really paying for. By focusing on panel type, resolution, and essential features, you can find a fantastic budget 240Hz monitor that delivers where it counts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 240Hz monitor only good for competitive gaming?
While competitive esports players get the most obvious benefit, anyone who plays fast-paced games will notice the improvement. The sheer smoothness of 240Hz makes any motion on screen—from panning the camera in a single-player action game to scrolling through a webpage—feel incredibly fluid and immediate. Once you get used to it, it’s hard to go back. Even general desktop use feels more responsive. So, no, it’s not exclusively for the pros, but they are the primary audience for the cheapest 240hz monitors worth buying this year.
Can my computer even run games at 240Hz?
This is the most important question to ask. To actually see the benefit of a 240Hz monitor, your PC needs to be capable of producing 240 frames per second (FPS) in the games you play. This requires a powerful graphics card (GPU) and a capable central processor (CPU). For modern, graphically intense AAA titles, achieving a stable 240 FPS at 1080p is challenging and typically requires high-end hardware. However, for competitive titles like Valorant, CS:GO, Rainbow Six Siege, or Fortnite on lower settings, hitting high frame rates is much more achievable with a mid-range system.
What’s the difference between 144Hz and 240Hz? Is it noticeable?
The difference between 144Hz and 240Hz is more subtle than the jump from 60Hz to 144Hz. 144Hz is already very smooth, but 240Hz is a step up in responsiveness. For the average person, it might not be a night-and-day difference, but for serious competitive gamers, every millisecond of reduced latency and extra smoothness counts. It can make tracking fast-moving targets slightly easier. If you’re deeply into competitive gaming, the upgrade is worth it. If you’re a more casual player, you might be perfectly happy saving some money with a 144Hz model.
Do I need a special cable to use 240Hz?
Yes, you absolutely do. You must use a high-quality DisplayPort cable to achieve 240Hz at 1080p. The HDMI ports on many budget 240Hz monitors might be limited to lower refresh rates, like 144Hz or 120Hz. The good news is that a capable DisplayPort cable is almost always included in the box with the monitor. Just make sure you plug your PC into the monitor using the provided DisplayPort cable, and then manually select the 240Hz refresh rate in your Windows display settings.
Are there any downsides to buying a budget 240Hz monitor?
The main downsides are usually found in the areas where manufacturers cut costs to hit a low price point. This often means a less adjustable stand (sometimes tilt-only), a more basic plastic design, and potentially less accurate color calibration out of the box compared to more expensive models. You might also get fewer extra features like USB hubs or sophisticated RGB lighting. However, the core performance—the 240Hz refresh rate, low response time, and adaptive-sync—is almost always excellent, which is what truly matters for gaming.