The best budget 4k gaming monitor In 2022, you should be looking for 4K resolution if you want clear, crisp images. There are undoubtedly 8K and even more entry-level 6K TVs. However, 4K is ideal for most users, whether they’re playing games, watching movies, gaming on the web, zipping in on their coworkers, or working. In spite of the fact that 4K gaming monitors can be somewhat expensive, we have put together a list of the best 4K gaming monitors that are more cost-effective for people on a tight budget. Here are our top selections without further ado.
The Best Budget 4K Gaming Monitor in 2022
These are the best budget 4K gaming monitors, as follows:
#1. LG C1 OLED: the best 4K TV for HDR gaming
The LG C1 OLED is the best 4K TV for HDR video gaming. The C1 has LG Display’s OLED screens, which deliver astounding contrast, unmatched pixel response speeds, and stunning colour reproduction. You can anticipate smooth animation from 40Hz to 120Hz without tearing, judder, or significant input latency thanks to the TV’s support for Black Frame Insertion (BFI) up to 120Hz and variable refresh rate compatibility for PC users through FreeSync and G-Sync, as well as HDMI VRR for consoles. This is the best budget 4k gaming monitor.
The C1’s four HDMI 2.1 ports enable 4K 120 fps gaming on the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and current-generation PC graphics cards with just a single cable. LG’s OLEDs are a great choice for competitive gaming because their input latency is so low that it’s more like a high-end gaming monitor than a regular 4K TV.
The C1 is best with 4K HDR material, but it also handles lower-resolution content well owing to great upscaling and complete OSSC and Framemeister support for retro gaming. LG’s webOS software is also probably the best on the market. It has a dynamic interface that lets you switch between tasks quickly and pick items easily, like with a Wii remote.
Pros
- Four HDMI 2.1 connections let you play games at 4K 120fps on the Series X, PS5, and next-generation GPUs.
- When utilizing gaming modes, extremely little input lag when
- Better motion processing is made possible by 120Hz black frame insertion.
- Unrivalled pixel reaction speeds, contrast, colour accuracy, and viewing angles
- Excellent scaling for sources with less resolution.
Cons
- HDR10 and Dolby Vision are supported, but HDR10+ is not.
- Although quite improbable, burn-in is possible if you view a variety of content.
- Without filters, there is no way to upscale to 720p or 1080p.
The Sony A90J is a very expensive OLED that combines one of LG’s brand-new second-generation screens with Sony’s superb motion management algorithms. The Sony A90J is a really intriguing prospect. The end result is a TV that has a peak brightness that is substantially greater than other OLEDs on the market, but there are drawbacks beyond the markedly higher cost. There is no VRR support for gaming, either on PCs with FreeSync or G-Sync, or on consoles with HDMI Forum VRR. This is slated for a later update; however, Sony’s 2020 models also came with VRR promised at launch, and a year later, it hasn’t materialized. Although it is a little bit worse than the LG C1, input latency is still competitive at 16ms for 60Hz content. This is the best budget 4k gaming monitor.
Sony has done a lot of other things correctly. As usual, OLED features like near-instantaneous pixel response rates, flawless blacks, infinite contrast, broad viewing angles, and great colour reproduction are there. Motion handling is also excellent. Additionally, as with other modern OLEDs, the drawback of the potential for permanent image retention or burn-in exists. But this is unlikely if you watch different things on your TV (don’t watch the same channel for hours on end) and keep the default security settings on (like those that dim static parts, move the image by one pixel, and refresh the screen when the TV is off).
Pros
- Due to LG’s second-generation OLED evo panel, it is very bright for an OLED.
- With 120Hz Black Frame Insertion, excellent motion handling (BFI),
- Two HDMI 2.1 connections let you play games in 4K at 120fps on the Series X, the PS5, and other modern GPUs.
- OLED features include deep, flawless blacks, broad viewing angles, and quick pixel response rates.
Cons
- Not available at launch, although VRR functionality is promised in a subsequent release.
- 16ms (60Hz) or 12ms of input latency, which is a little bit more than the LG C1’s (120Hz)
- HDR10 and Dolby Vision are supported, but HDR10+ is not.
- Given that this is an OLED panel, burn-in is still a risk.
#3. Samsung QN95A / QN90A Neo: best QLED 4K TV for HDR gaming
Samsung’s premium 4K TVs for 2021, the QN95A and QN90A, have a new “QLED Neo” screen with Mini LED illumination. In comparison to earlier versions, this enables substantially higher brightness (1400 nits for SDR video and 1800 nits for HDR content). The Neo displays, like earlier QLED models, are built around a VA panel that offers good viewing angles, outstanding contrast (3500:1 without local dimming, 26500:1 with), and genuinely amazing out-of-the-box colour reproduction. Although the motion clarity and contrast aren’t nearly as outstanding as an OLED’s, these models can grow much brighter and aren’t as susceptible to burn-in. The colour reproduction and high peak brightness make HDR movies and video games appear fantastic here. HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG are supported, but DolbyVision is not. This is the best budget 4k gaming monitor.
Pros
- Assistance for 4K 120Hz (albeit only on one HDMI port on the QN90A)
- When playing games, there is very little input latency.
- reasonable motion control with the addition of a black frame
- Xbox and PCs with variable refresh rate capabilities
- There is no risk of burn-in.
Cons
- Compared to OLED, comparing black depths and viewing angles is difficult.
- HDR10 and HDR10+ are supported, although DolbyVision is not supported.
- Only the UK and Europe, not the US, have access to the QN95A’s four HDMI 2.1 connectors.
#4. Sony X90J: Best mid-range 4K TV for HDR gaming
The Sony X90J is a great option for next-generation gaming. It has two HDMI 2.1 connections compatible with 4K 120Hz gaming on the PS5, Xbox Series X, and next-generation PC graphics cards. Low input latency (18 ms at 60Hz and 11 ms at 120Hz), outstanding contrast (6200:1 with full array local dimming), and good colour fidelity set the X90J apart. Although viewing angles are somewhat limited, peak brightness is more than reasonable, as with comparable VA panels (520 nits in SDR, around 780 nits in HDR). A burn-in is not a possibility because this is not an OLED. The Google TV operating system for the X90J is snappy and has a wide selection of apps.
Pros
- There are two HDMI 2.1 connectors, and the input latency is very low.
- excellent motion control and quick responses.
- impressive brightness and contrast ratio (6200:1).
Cons
- Future updates will provide VRR support.
- Due to the employed VA panel, viewing angles are limited.
- “No G-Sync or FreeSync Support for compatible PC gaming
#5. LG Nano85 / Nano86: Best budget 4K 120Hz TV
One of the cheapest TVs that fully supports HDMI 2.1, the LG Nano85 (marketed as the Nano86 in the UK) has a 4K 120Hz screen, HDMI VRR (variable refresh rate) to balance out erratic frame rates, and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). The Nano85 is a great choice for gaming on consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X because it has low input lag, black frame insertion (BFI), and fast pixel response times. This is the best budget 4k gaming monitor.
Although this nano IPS panel has better colour accuracy and wider viewing angles than more typical VA, QLED, or OLED panels, it has lower contrast. As a result, the performance of this TV is best in brilliantly illuminated environments and scenery, as dark environments and dim scenes will seem more grey than black. Its 400 nit maximum brightness also means that HDR highlights don’t stand out as much as they do on panels with higher brightness levels. Even so, the Nano85 still gives great performance for the money, especially if gaming is your main focus.
Pros
- excellent input latency in game mode (15ms at 60Hz, 6ms at 120Hz).
- The colour accuracy, wide viewing angles, and
- HDMI VRR, ALLM, and eARC are all aspects of HDMI 2.1.
Cons
- Peak brightness is low, and contrast is average.
#6. TCL R635 Mini LED: Best budget 4K TV for HDR gaming (USA)
Thanks to its Mini-LED lighting, 120Hz QLED screen, and compatibility for various HDMI 2.1 features, such as variable frame rate support from 48 to 120Hz and auto low latency mode, the new TCL R635 is a great option for 4K HDR gaming (ALLM). Given its low cost and these characteristics, it is a remarkably future-proof option that should enable HDR gameplay in 1080p or 1440p at 120 frames per second on PS5 and Xbox Series X. Even in the THX-certified gaming mode, input latency is minimal. Finally, the contrast is superb, as you would expect from a panel based on a VA. This is the best budget 4k gaming monitor.
Only the viewing angles, which cause colour changes if you’re even slightly off-centre, make this TV’s lower price point obvious. With the option for black frame insertion, motion handling is still robust, and colour fidelity is still good for the price. Overall, we think this is a really great option for US viewers; we only wish it were available in Europe!
Pros
- Mini-LED lighting offers great local dimming and strong contrast.
- On a 120Hz screen, you can game at 120 frames per second in 1080p or 1440p.
- By using HDMI VRR, variable refresh rate support
- Exceptionally good value.
Cons
- For 4K 120fps gameplay, there are no HDMI 2.1 connectors.
- comparatively small viewing angles.
- No support for G-Sync or FreeSync.
- Available neither in the UK nor in Europe.
#7. Samsung TU8000: Best budget 4K TV for HDR gaming (UK)
The Samsung TU8000 is about as good as it gets for the UK market, but it cannot compete with the low-budget choices offered to the American market. The ALLM mode function, which makes sure that this is immediately engaged when you’re in-game, guarantees that input lag is incredibly minimal in game mode (10ms). In order to enhance motion clarity, there is also a Black Frame Insertion function, but it isn’t the best one we’ve seen. If you want features like variable refresh rates and 120 frames per second gaming, we recommend checking out our mid-range selection instead.
The TU8000 excels in contrast because of its deep black levels, which enable a remarkable contrast ratio of 6500:1. This is a worse option for bright spaces because of the comparatively low maximum brightness of only 300 nits. The only widely used HDR format that isn’t supported is DolbyVision; both the HDR10+ and HLG standards are. Although the TU8000 still has poor viewing angles compared to the RU7100 from the previous year, things have marginally improved.
Pros
- Excellent input lag in game mode (10ms).
- 6500:1 contrast ratio and accurate colour reproduction.
- Support for eARC and auto-low latency mode (ALLM)
Cons
- No support for 120Hz or VRR.
- limited viewing angles, bad banding, and low peak brightness.
#8. LG 27GP950: Best monitor for PS5 / Xbox Series X
The LG 27GP950 is perfect if you’re searching for a smaller monitor, especially to use with a PC or next-generation consoles. This is the first monitor to come with support for DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC, which enables 4K at 160Hz over a single cable on PCs with contemporary graphics cards, as well as HDMI 2.1, allowing up to 4K at 120Hz on PS5 or Xbox Series X. With its broad viewing angles, precise colour reproduction, and superb motion management, the 27GP950 monitor makes excellent use of LG’s fast IPS display. The peak brightness of the monitor exceeds 600 nits, earning DisplayHDR 600 certification and providing HDR highlights with some noticeable impact. As you might anticipate, with a monitor that uses less computing power than the typical TV, input latency is incredibly minimal. It should go without saying that the 27GP950 cannot be used to receive terrestrial TV broadcasts on its own, but if you wanted to watch TV on it, you could easily connect a set-top box through HDMI. All in all, this is a great monitor that works well for both PC and console gamers thanks to HDMI 2.1.
Pros
- HDMI 2.1 full 4K 120Hz support
- Excellent motion handling and brightness.
- Up to 4K at 160Hz over a single DisplayPort connection when used with a PC.
Cons
- smaller than the typical TV’s screen in size.
- No TV or smart TV features.
#9. Samsung UR59C
The best affordable 4K monitor is the Samsung UR59C, which boasts a 32-inch VA panel with accuracy and curves. The image quality is great after calibration, with rich, realistic colours and readable lettering. When testing in sRGB mode, we found a colour inaccuracy of 4.3dE with obvious errors, but our calibration (see our recommended settings on page 1 of the review) decreased it to 0.9dE. This is the best budget 4k gaming monitor.
The UR59C also features exceptional contrast, as one would anticipate from a VA panel, reaching an astounding 2,590.5:1 after calibration. The 1500R curve of the UR59C is obvious and useful, letting us maintain a greater window-viewing angle. Even though this screen isn’t good for professional gaming, it can still be used by casual gamers.
The UR59C has a 4 ms reaction time and a 60 Hz refresh rate to prevent screen tearing. Even though a 75 Hz screen would have more action, the 60 Hz refresh rate and a high number of pixels will still make for a great gaming experience.
Pros
- Beautiful photo
- Functional curve
Cons
- There are no USB ports.
- needs adjusting
#10. Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q
The best and most affordable 4K gaming monitor, the Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q, features a 60 Hz refresh rate but incorporates FreeSync technology to avoid screen rips. Yes, the input lag and response time are much greater than they would be on a 144 Hz display, but if you’re on a tight budget and still want your games to look detailed and realistic, this is a great alternative. This is the best budget 4k gaming monitor.
SDR games were more colourful on the VG289Q, while dynamic contrast offered small visual improvements like depth. Shadows and highlights still seemed to be more defined, and we enjoyed the colour boost, even though HDR isn’t as strong as what you’d get on a panel with an edge array backlight or a full-array local dimming (FALD) backlight.
Pros
- precise colour
- excellent construction.
Cons
- standard contract
- SDR is only somewhat more appealing than HDR.
FAQ
Which is better for gaming: QLED or OLED?
When it comes to gaming, QLED TVs remain competitive, and firms like Samsung are steadily closing the reaction time difference. Only an OLED TV will offer the responsiveness and deep immersion. Get an OLED if you’re a gamer who’s on the fence about what to buy for, say, your PS5.
Is 4K HDR suitable for gaming?
Whether you choose a 4K display or an HDR display, you’ll have a great time playing games.
