If there is one important thing for using a computer well, be it a Desktop PC or a laptop when used at home or in the office, this is definitely the monitor. Those who are still using an old or small monitor should start thinking about changing it not only to visually enjoy the multimedia content available online, movies and games, but also for the health of their eyes.
As for TVs, buying a LED monitor with a large screen and HD quality is not necessary today to spend too much money!
In this article we therefore see which are the best LED monitors at an affordable and affordable price, from 100 to 200 Euros, so you can make a balanced shopping without spending a fortune.
The monitors we will recommend are suitable for general home use or for use on office PCs; if we have other needs it is better to focus on more expensive monitors suitable for example for gaming scenarios and professional 3D graphics.
READ FIRST: New Computer Monitor: what features to have
Economic monitor features
Even if we are in the lowest price category to buy a new monitor (difficult to find lower prices) this does not mean that we should not take a look at the technical characteristics when we buy a new monitor with a price below € 200!
The characteristics that must not be missing are the following:
- Resolution : the monitor must be compatible with Full HD resolution, i.e. have a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.
In this way we will be able to benefit from high definition when we surf the Internet and when we open multiple programs, given that the size of icons and text decrease with increasing resolution.
- Monitor size : the ideal size for a mid-range monitor is between 22 inches and 27 inches, based on the viewing distance, the size of the desk and the uses we want to make of it.
The ideal value is currently 24 inches, which should fit well in any scenario and desk.
Some more expensive models may also present the curved screen, to improve the spatial perception of images, especially at the edges.
- Connectivity : the chosen monitor must have an HDMI socket in order to be able to connect it correctly to modern graphics cards (which always have an outlet of this type).
The quality of the HDMI connection is high as well as the management of the color and the refresh rate, so switching to this type of connection will allow you to increase the quality of the images, especially if we come from other types of older connections (VGA above all) .
As a backup connection DVI (also called D-Sub) is also fine, which is usually still present on monitors, so that even older PCs can be connected.
The DisplayPort connector is very similar to HDMI but is not widespread in this price range, being weighted for gaming monitors.
- Panel technology : all monitors now have LCD panels with LED backlighting, with various configurations according to the manufacturer chosen (IPS, TN or PLS).
This is the minimum for a modern monitor, so as to combine uniform light and low energy consumption.
- Performance : in order to better manage each scene reproduced, the panel must have an update frequency (also called refresh rate) of at least 60 Hz and a response time (time it takes the pixel to change color or intensity) less than 10ms ; only in this way can we distinguish quality monitors from poor ones.
- Integrated audio speakers: since HDMI also transmits audio digitally, some monitors also have small audio speakers integrated in the lower or rear part of the same, so that you can have audio without having to buy separate speakers.
The quality, however, leaves much to be desired, therefore, unless we have limits in terms of space, it is better to lose this parameter and buy a small 2.1 system, which will always sound better than the speakers built into the monitors.
- OSD menu : all monitors now have menus with graphic settings visible on top of them, so as to adjust the details and the quality of the monitor to the maximum.
The parameters that will surely be retouched are brightness, contrast and color temperatures; in many monitors there are predefined profiles that we can try until we find what is right for us.
Buying Guide
As usual when it comes to buying advice, the reference prices are taken from the Amazon online store that allows you to buy a monitor directly from home, often with discounted prices, always without shipping costs.
The monitors listed here should however also be displayed and purchasable in normal shopping centers, for those who prefer not to buy online.
1) Samsung SF350 (110 €): a good cheap 24-inch monitor with Full HD resolution, 60 Hz refresh rate, 5 ms response time, D-Sub connection, HDMI connection and PLS panel.
2) HP 27W (€ 145): if we are looking for a large monitor we can focus on this HP, with a 27-inch diagonal, 5ms response time, Full HD resolution (1920x1080), HDMI connection, VGA connection and LED backlit IPS panel.
3) LG 24MP88HV-S (€ 149): an excellent monitor for all scenarios, with 24 "LED IPS display, Full HD 1920x1080 resolution, 5ms response time, 60Hz refresh rate, 2 HDMI ports, 1 VGA port, Speaker Integrated 10W and Borderless frame.
4) Acer KG1 KG241Q (149 €): another good monitor to focus on for the home or office with TN technology panel, 23.6-inch diagonal, 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution, 1 ms response time, VGA connection, HDMI connection, Audio In / Out connection, Integrated speakers and FreeSync technology.
5) AOC G2460VQ6 Gaming Monitor (€ 159): if we want to play with the PC we recommend viewing this AOC monitor, which has a 24-inch display, FHD 1920x1080 resolution, high refresh rate at 75Hz, 1 ms response time, Speaker integrated, D-Sub connection, HDMI connection and DisplayPort connection.
6) Samsung C27F396 Curved Monitor (196 €): one of the best monitors in the category with curved technology!
This display features a curved 27-inch panel, 1920 x 1080 pixel Full HD resolution, V-base, 60 Hz frequency, 4 ms response time, Freesync synchronization technology, D-sub connection and HDMI connection.
READ ALSO: 21: 9 wide monitors (ultra wide screen): which ones to buy
