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By: Robert Llarves | Date Posted: October 17, 2022
Computer monitors have come a long way in the last several years. With advances in display technology, they are now available in a variety of sizes and resolutions to suit any need.
IPS monitors are also becoming more popular as they offer several advantages over other types of monitors. They are known to provide better viewing angles, which is important for gaming and content creation where you often have to move around the screen.
They are also excellent when it comes to color accuracy and screen consistency, making them ideal for professional use. Additionally, manufacturers are continuously making ways to make IPS monitors more suitable for gaming. Most IPS monitors today come with fast response time and low input lag, making them a good option for both gamers and general users alike.
Knowing that gaming and content creation has become more popular, the demand for high-quality IPS monitors has increased. Additionally, as they become so common, they are now available at various price points, which is great news for budget-conscious shoppers.
However, the problem is that finding a good IPS monitor is not always an easy task. So, we’ve done all the research for you and put together a list of the best IPS monitors under $200 that are currently available on the market. Also, at the bottom of this article is a summary of what you will expect for a $200 IPS monitor.
 | Sceptre E248W-FPT |
| Check On Amazon |
 | MSI OPTIX G241 |
| Check On Amazon |
 | ViewSonic VX2776-SMHD |
| Check On Amazon |
 | ASUS VA24DQSB |
| Check On Amazon |
 | ASUS VP229HE |
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A computer monitor is an essential piece of equipment for any PC user. Whether you are working, browsing, or just need a monitor for general use, there are a variety of monitors available to suit your needs.
One monitor that is great for general use is the Sceptre E248W-FPT. It’s an IPS monitor that comes with a 24-inch display and a resolution of 1920x1080p. The 75Hz refresh rate of this monitor seems to be an optimal rate for most people, it is more than enough for general use. Additionally, 75Hz is still a decent refresh rate for gaming (assuming you’re just a casual gamer), but if you play eSports or fast pace games, I suggest looking for a monitor that comes with at least 100Hz – the second monitor in this list might be more suitable for you.
The Sceptre E248W-FPT also comes with a response time of 5ms. It’s not the fastest response time, but you won’t notice any image issues like ghosting or blurring if you will use it only for general activities. With regards to gaming, I would say 5ms is still decent for a casual gamer. If you need more information, I suggest reading our article about normal vs fast monitor response time.
The Sceptre E248W-FPT also comes with built-in speakers, which is always a nice touch. However, don’t expect that the quality of the sound is going to be amazing, as it’s just a basic set of speakers, decent enough for listening to music or watching videos.
Now, let’s talk about the design of this monitor. The Sceptre E248W-FPT has a very simple but professional design that will look great on any desk. It is also very thin, which is always a plus. Also, it’s VESA wall mountable, in case you need to save some desk space.
For a monitor that cost $119.97, the features it offers are pretty amazing, and it can be hard to find a monitor that has the same features at this price point. If you’re looking for a good IPS monitor for general use, I highly recommend the Sceptre E248W-FPT.
Our second recommendation is more suitable for gamers. I know that it’s quite hard to find a good gaming monitor that is under $200, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. In fact, the MSI OPTIX G241 is one of the best gaming monitors you can find under $200.
Fast response time and refresh rate are just some specifications that a gamer should look for in a monitor, and the MSI OPTIX G241 has both. It comes with a response time of 1 ms, which is very fast. This means that you won’t see any image issues like ghosting or blurring, even when playing fast-paced games. Additionally, it has a refresh rate of 144Hz, high enough to become more competitive in gaming.
It is also worth noting that the MSI OPTIX G241 comes with AMD FreeSync technology, which synchronizes the refresh rate of your monitor with the frame rate of your graphics card. This will help to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering, giving you a smoother gaming experience.
The IPS panel of this monitor also provides wide viewing angles and accurate colors. So, it works great not just for gaming but also for other activities.
The MSI OPTIX G241 looks great too, it has a very gamer look design that is suitable for any setup. However, the ergonomics is quite mediocre as it can only be tilt adjusted. Although the majority of users probably won’t need anything more than that, it would be great if it had more options like height adjustment and swivel.
With that all said, it’s indeed that the MSI OPTIX G241 is tailored-made for gamers. If you’re looking for a good gaming monitor that is under $200, the MSI OPTIX G241 is your way to go.
For people who work with many tasks side by side, a wider monitor is a better solution as it provides more screen real estate.
Multitasking is a breeze with the ViewSonic VX2776-SMHD, as it comes with a large 27-inch screen. It also has a resolution of 1920x1080p, so you won’t have any problem working with multiple windows side by side.
The ultra-thin bezels of this monitor also make it a great choice for those who want to create a multi-monitor setup. You can put two or more of these monitors without worrying about the bezels getting in the way. Also, the super clear IPS panel of this monitor provides great viewing angles and accurate colors.
When it comes to gaming, I would say the 60Hz refresh rate of this monitor will work just fine for slow-paced games like RPG, but not great for fast-paced games like FPS as it can only accommodate 60 frames per second. Additionally, it has a 4ms response time, which is not the fastest but still decent for gaming.
The design of this monitor is good, it has a very minimalistic look that will go well with any setup. However, the ergonomics could be better as it only offers tilt adjustment.
Connectivity-wise, the ViewSonic VX2776-SMHD is very flexible as it supports Macs, PCs, and laptops with DisplayPort, VGA, and HDMI inputs.
The ViewSonic VX2776-SMHD is one of the best widescreen IPS monitors under $200 that you can find in the market.
If you are looking for an IPS monitor that comes with many useful features for both gaming and productivity, you should take a look at the ASUS VA24DQSB.
Starting with the gaming performance, this monitor has a refresh rate of 75Hz and a response time of 5ms, which is decent for casual gaming. Additionally, the Adaptive-Sync technology is also supported, which will help to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering.
When it comes to productivity, the ASUS VA24DQSB is also a great choice as it comes with a blue light filter and a flicker-free backlight (Useful for gaming as well). This will help to reduce eye fatigue when working long hours.
Looking at the basic specification, this monitor comes with an IPS panel, has a resolution of 1920x1080p, and a screen size of 23.8 inches.
The bezel-less design also makes it a good choice for those who want to create a multi-monitor setup. In addition, it comes with a very professional design that will look great in any office or home setup.
As far as ergonomics are concerned, this monitor offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustment. So, you can find the most comfortable viewing position with ease. It is also VESA mountable, so you definitely have a lot of options.
The ASUS VA24DQSB still offers a lot of useful features such as a USB hub for connecting multiple devices, and a screen that can be rotated vertically, which is great for working with long documents or browsing the web.
Overall, the features this monitor has is more than worth it for a $200 price point.
Now, to the last recommendation in this list, the ASUS VP229HE. This one works best with people who are on a very tight budget.
Despite the low price tag, the ASUS VP229HE still offers excellent features that are worth mentioning. It has an IPS panel with a resolution of 1920x1080p.
This one is almost similar to the ASUS VA24DQSB I’ve mentioned above, only that it comes with a smaller screen size of 21.5 inches, a bit simple design, and some features are cut down to keep the price low.
The ASUS VP229HE is still decent for gaming with a response time of 5ms and a refresh rate of 75Hz. Plus, it comes with Adaptive-Sync to eliminate screen tearing.
Eye care technology is also present on this monitor. And like the other ASUS monitors, it comes with a TÜV Rheinland-certified Flicker-free and Low Blue Light technologies to prevent eye fatigue when using it for long hours of gaming and productivity.
The ergonomics is also quite good but unlike ASUS VA24DQSB, the ASUS VP229HE only offers tilt adjustment and height adjustment, there is no swivel and pivot. It’s VESA mountable though so you can mount it on your wall or any VESA mount stand.
It’s still a good budget-friendly monitor for those who are looking for an IPS panel display without breaking the bank.
Full HD Resolution – A 1920x1080p resolution is the most common resolution you can find at any price point. 1080p is still the standard for gaming and general use so you probably won’t have any problem with this resolution. In addition, monitor sizes in this list range from 21 – 27 inches so the pixel density won’t be a problem.
IPS Panel – Although not all monitors at this price point will have an IPS panel, the monitors I’ve included in this list all have an IPS panel. This is important because it offers better viewing angles, color accuracy, and overall image quality.
Decent Refresh Rate – Monitors you’ll find at $200 will have a decent refresh rate of 60Hz or 75Hz. Some can be higher like 144Hz, like the second monitor (MSI OPTIX G241) I’ve mentioned above. Refresh rate is an important factor if you will use the monitor primarily for gaming.
Some monitors will also come with variable refresh rate technologies like FreeSync or G-Sync to further improve the gaming experience. Although there are some scenarios where you don’t need to turn it on, it’s still a good feature to have. If you’re wondering whether or not you should enable the variable refresh rate feature on your device, read our guide to find out.
IPS technology, or In-Plane Switching, is a type of LCD technology found in most computer monitors. This advanced form of display contrasts with the traditional TN (Twisted Nematic) and VA (Vertical Alignment) technologies.
IPS boasts better viewing angles than its predecessors, allowing for up to 178° of horizontal and vertical visibility. Additionally, this form of display offers superior color accuracy and an improved color gamut compared to other technologies.
Not only does IPS technology give you brighter colors and improved contrast, but it also provides wider viewing angles. Having IPS technology on your monitor allows you to enjoy the same picture clarity no matter what angle you view it from.
When it comes to buying an IPS monitor, you should consider your own needs and preferences first.
If you’re looking for a great experience while gaming or watching movies, then an IPS panel would be the way to go. However, if you don’t need wide viewing angles and accurate colors, then a TN or VA monitor may work better for you. In addition to being great for gaming and multimedia purposes, IPS monitors are ideal for graphic design and other creative tasks because of their color accuracy and wider viewing angles.
Ultimately, only you can decide which type of display is best suited for your needs. So take some time to research what each technology offers before making a decision.
Yes, there are some drawbacks to using an IPS panel. One of the biggest drawbacks is that they tend to have slower response times than TN or VA panels. This can cause motion blur in games and movies if you’re not careful about adjusting the settings on your monitor.
Additionally, the contrast ratio on IPS monitors tends to have lower contrast ratios than TN or VA panels. This means that they can struggle with darker blacks and whites, resulting in washed-out-looking images. However, some manufacturers are starting to address this issue by incorporating technologies like High Dynamic Range (HDR) into their monitor designs. This helps to produce more vibrant colors and deeper blacks without sacrificing image quality.
Finally, some people have reported issues with backlight bleed on certain models of IPS monitors. This is something to be aware of when shopping around for an IPS panel monitor.
IPS monitors tend to have a higher price tag than TN or VA panels, but the cost can still vary depending on the size and features.
Not all monitors pack the same features, and the panel type is just one factor.
As you can see, it’s not impossible to find a decent monitor at a $200 price point. And with the release of new monitors, the prices of the older ones drop, making it even easier to find a good IPS monitor at a budget-friendly price.
Of course, you can’t expect to get all the features you want at this price point but if you prioritize what’s important to you, then finding the best IPS monitor under $200 shouldn’t be that hard.
Each monitor on this list has designated uses. Do you primarily use your computer for gaming? Then go for a monitor with a higher refresh rate. Do you need more screen space for work? Then go for a monitor with a larger screen size. It is important to decide first what you need before buying a monitor.
