In this guide, we’ve rated and reviewed seven of the best cheap 4K monitors. All of these 4K monitors come in under $300, making them perfect UHD options for budget-oriented users.
While the cost of the hardware that is necessary to play games on a 4K monitor at maximum settings with higher framerates is still incredibly high, 4K monitors themselves have actually become quite affordable. Whereas in the past a 4K monitor might cost at a minimum of $400-$500, nowadays there are options out there for under $200.
Obviously, though, just because it is a 4K display doesn’t mean it is a great option. So, in this guide, we’ve listed seven of the best cheap 4K monitors under $300 to help you find an ultra-high definition display that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
A Quick Look at the Best Cheap 4K Monitors Under $300
For a quick look at our picks for the best cheap 4K monitors, the table below presents our top overall choice, our runner-up, our value pick, and the cheapest overall 4K display.
|
NAME | SPECS | RATING | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
TOP PICK
|
ASUS VP28UQG |
|
/10 | ||
RUNNER-UP
|
LG 27UD58-B |
|
/10 | ||
32-INCH
|
LG 32UD60-B |
|
/10 | ||
FRAMELESS
|
AOC U2790VQ |
|
/10 |
*To read our overviews on the monitors above, click on the “Read Review »” link. You can also keep scrolling to see our three Honorable Mention picks.
1. ASUS VP28UQG 28″
Best cheap 4K monitor overall
ASUS is no stranger to the computer monitor market. They are well-known for making high-quality displays and gaming-specific monitors. Their ASUS VP28UQG is another solid offering.
It comes with a 28″ display that sports a 4K resolutions, a 1ms GTG response time, and comes with AMD’s FreeSync technology. With AMD FreeSync, you’ll need to pair this monitor with an AMD graphics card in order to take advantage of the variable refresh rate technology. As for the price, the VP28UQG comes in at just under $300.
Overall, the ASUS VP28UQG is a solid 4K monitor that is fairly affordable (when compared to other 4K monitors out there) and it has a slightly bigger picture and a lower response rate than our runner-up pick, the LG 27UD58-B, all of which make it our top choice for the best 4K monitor under $300.
2. LG 27UD58-B 27″
Our runner-up budget 4K display
Our runner-up pick is LG’s 27UD58-B 27″ 4K monitor. Like our top pick, the ASUS VP28UQG, the LG 27UD58-B comes in at just under $300 and also features AMD’s FreeSync technology.
It does have a slower response time, though, but that is due to the fact that it sports an IPS panel instead of a TN panel. The IPS panel will help for wider viewing angles, though, so there are trade-off costs. If you’re a serious competitive gamer, you may want to opt for the fast 1ms GTG response time on the ASUS VP28UQG instead of the 5ms GTG response time on the LG 27UD58-B, although most gamers likely won’t be able to tell the difference between the two.
Ultimately, while both the LG 27UD58-B and ASUS VP28UQG are solid options, we felt the faster response time and slightly larger screen helped the ASUS 4K monitor stand out a bit more. Though, if you’re not a gamer you’d probably prefer the IPS panel instead, and in that case the LG 27UD58-B would be the better option.
It’s also worth mentioning that you can get the 24″ version of this monitor for just under $250. So, if you’re looking for a smaller 4K monitor, that would be the best route to go out of the other options on this list.
3. LG 32UD60-B 32″
Best cheap 32-inch 4K monitor
Perhaps an even better option than the ASUS VP28UQG and the LG 27UD58-B, is the LG 32UD60-B. In terms of specs, the LG 32UD60-B does have a slower response rate. It also comes in ~$50-$70 more expensive.
However, the LG 32UD60-B comes with a larger 32-inch display, as opposed to the 28-inch and 27-inch of the 4K displays mentioned above. So, if you’re looking for the largest 4K display for under $300, then the LG 32UD60-B is probably the best option for you.
Along with its larger screen, the LG 32UD60-B also comes with AMD’S FreeSync technology and a height adjustable stand.
4. AOC U2790VQ 27″
Cheap 4K monitor w/thin borders
If you’re looking for an affordable 4K monitor that has an extemely thin border, then you might want to consider AOC’s U2790VQ. AOC is a well-known manufacturer of monitors, but they haven’t been around as long as some of the bigger players. However, they are starting to become more popular by offering cheaper monitors than their competitors. Their monitors are a bit more stripped down, which is how they get lower costs, but the displays in ther monitors are decent enough to where they are viable options for budget-oriented users.
The U2790VQ is a 27″ 4K IPS display that comes with a 5ms GTG response rate. While it does come with a higher pricetag and slower response time than the options listed above, its frameless design makes it an excellent option to use in a multi-monitor setup—as the thinner border will leave a smaller gap between screens.
In the end, the AOC U2790VQ isn’t going to blow anyone away with its secondary features, but if you need a cheap 4K monitor with a thin bezel for a multi-monitor array, at just under $270, it will definitely do the trick.
5. AOC U2879VF 28”
Honorable mention #1
Another alternative to ASUS’ VP28UQG and Samsung’s U28E590D is the AOC U2879VF. It has the exact same core specs as the other two monitors and it comes in at a lower price than the VP28UQG, but a higher price than the U28E590D. However, unlike the U28E590D, it does come with a 3-year warranty like the ASUS VP28UQG does.
It’s a 28″ 4K monitor with a TN panel that sports a 1ms response time. And, it also comes with AMD’s FreeSync technology, making it great option to pair with an AMD graphics card.
Ultimately, we chose the ASUS VP28UQG as our top pick mostly because ASUS is more established than AOC is. However, AOC is no slouch either and, so, if you want to save a little bit of money to get what will essentially offer the same viewing experience as the ASUS VP28UQG, then the AOC U2879VF is worth considering.
6. Dell S2817Q 28″
Honorable mention #2
At the same price as the AOC U2879VF 28” monitor listed above you can can get what is essentially the same display (at least spec-wise) in the Dell S2817Q. It is also a 28″ monitor that has a 4K display. However, it does have a slightly slower GTG response time (2ms for Dell’s monitor and 1ms for AOC’s monitor) and it doesn’t come with AMD’s FreeSync technology.
However, if your plan is to get an NVIDIA graphics card then the AMD FreeSync inclusion on the AOC monitor isn’t as big of a deal. And, in reality, the difference between 1ms GTG and 2ms GTG response times isn’t significant in real-world performance.
So, the bottom line is that, if you have an AMD graphics card that can utilize the FreeSync technology, the AOC monitor above (or our other top picks listed above that have FreeSync) would be a better option. If you have (or are getting) an NVIDIA graphics card, then this Dell monitor will give you an alternative to consider.
7. Dell P2415Q 24″
Honorable mention #3
Another budget-friendly 4K option that makes our Honorable Mention list is Dell’s P2415Q. The P2415Q is a 24-inch 4K display that comes with a 60Hz refresh rate and a 6ms response time. However, its price tag is what keeps it towards the bottom of this list.
At just a little under $400, it is one of the more expensive options on this list, despite having one of the higher response times and one of the smaller screens.
So, unless the P2415Q were to go on sale for a significant discount, it’s probably not worth considering.
Are the Cheapest 4K Monitors Worth It?
While 4K monitos are typically more expensive than other display resolutions, in the past year or so they have come down significantly in price. In fact, as is evidenced by the majority of the options on this list, you can now get a 4K monitor for well under $300. And, if you aren’t planning on gaming—or, at least, you aren’t planning on doing heavy gaming—then a 4K monitor is now a viable option for budget-friendly consumers. So, if you’re looking for a cheap 4K monitor check out the options above.