Trying to get an affordable monitor for your gaming rig? Well, if you have a powerful rig then forget about buying a 60Hz monitor as it won’t be able to offer you the visual experience you desire. Getting the best 120Hz monitor would be more fruitful and will provide a better gaming experience. Don’t worry, we are not going to review such monitors that can break your bank (but yes, don’t get us wrong. 120Jz monitors are quite expensive compared to others). Rather, we will review here the top 7 cheapest 120Hz monitors available today.
Before heading to the review section, let’s learn some basic facts about the 120Hz display.
If you are in a super hurry, check out the table of the top 7 cheapest 120Hz monitors list:
Related Article: Best Gaming Monitors Review 2021 (under $200 & $300)
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | LATEST PRICE |
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EDITOR’S CHOICE  |
1. Dell Alienware 1900R
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2. AOC Agon AG352UCG6
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3. G-STORY GS173H
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4. BenQ 24 Inch IPS Monitor
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5. Lenovo 65D1KCC1US Think Vision L23i-18
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6. NEC Business Class
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7. Electric Magic NS
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What Does 120Hz Monitor Mean?
In simple terms, a 120Hz monitor means that the display comes with a 120hz refresh rate and holds the capability to deliver ultra-smooth visuals. But do you know what a refresh rate is? Refresh rate depicts the number of times per second your monitor refreshes itself to produce a new frame.
So now you can understand that a display with a 120Hz refresh rate basically refreshes 120 times per second to showcase every scene. The refresh serves as a crucial property of a monitor and the better the figure, the better resolution smoothness.
Refresh works collaterally with frame rate and when you a play game with 110fps, you will really get smooth visuals on a 120Hz refresh rate monitor. However, if you are running a game at 60fps, then you won’t see any difference in your display. The 120Hz refresh rate comes really handy when you are playing fast-paced games or competitive games as it allows you to respond quickly without facing any blur.
Apart from pixel density, a monitor heavily relies on the refresh rate as it assists the display in producing a better motion resolution. Most importantly, it retains the sharpness and detail in the visuals by rendering the frames in a few milliseconds.
So now you can understand a 120Hz monitor means that it has the capacity to run games at high fps but without sacrificing on anything. Remember you won’t get a better experience if you are playing a game at 200fps on your 120Hz refresh rate monitor. You can then go for 144Hz or 240hz monitors.
Moreover, the difference in refresh rate and frame rate also leads to screen tearing as the display starts accepting frames more than its capacity. So it leads to erratic motion and occasional lag which ruins the whole gaming experience. In addition to gaming, it allows users to watch high fps videos in a proper manner without facing any lag.
Why Do You Need to Use 120Hz Monitors?
Now we have learned about the 120Hz screen; it is time to learn what are the perks that we will get from a 120Hz monitor. So let’s take a look at them;
Smooth Gaming Visuals
With a 120Hz monitor, you are bound to experience smooth visuals for games and movies and that too without blur, stuttering, or ghosting. Smooth visuals ensure that you will get all the details and also get sharp edges, especially in fast-paced scenes. You can feel an improvement in motion resolution when you play a video or game at a high frame rate. They are designed for notching up your viewing experience and allow you to enjoy cinematic visuals at your home comfort.
Minimal Latency
Game latency plays a significant role in a competitive game and the difference in game latency leads to a massive difference in game-play. When a gamer plays a competitive game at a high frame rate in 60Hz, he/she will experience lag and sluggishness that ultimately hinder their score and motivation. But when you play a competitive game at 120Hz, not only you will get reduced latency but will also get negligible screen tearing.
Reduces Motion Sickness
It is quite evident to the gaming world that there are many players who face motion sickness when experiencing motion blur while playing fast-paced games. But playing on a 120Hz monitor will solve those issues as the screen can handle the rate of frames delivered by the video card.
Enhanced Game Responsiveness
The game responsiveness is related to the input lag of the display, and the input lag gets affected by the refresh rate of a monitor. When you play a game on a 120Hz monitor, you will experience a smooth response as it gets back up from 8.33ms input ( the figure is much lower for a 120Hz TN or VA panel). However, if you play the same game on the 60Hz monitor, you will see the difference in gameplay as the input lag notches up to 16.67m.
Was all this information helpful to you? Yes, we guess. Well, now we want to take you through the reviews of all the finest yet cheapest 120Hz monitors we have selected for you.
Best 7 Cheap 120Hz Monitors for Gaming – Detailed Reviews
1. Dell Alienware 1900R – Another Good Curved Gaming 120Hz Monitor
- 3440 X 1440 WQHD resolution.
- 300nits and 1000:1 contrast ratio.
- 120Hz refresh rate with the 4ms response time.
- IPS panel.
- 1900R curvature.
- AlienFX lighting effects.
Features Overview:
Dell Alienware AW3418DW is unarguably one of the best 120Hz monitors in the market and every gamer drools to play their favorite game on this state-of-the-earth display. We can assure you that you can expect the finest visual possible of your game and it is due to the 3440 X 1440 QHD resolution with IPS panel.
It is all about fluidic and blur-free gaming as its 120Hz rapid refresh rate is blended with the ultra-fast 4ms response time. Bid goodbye to screen tearing, ghosting, and artifact issues as it also bags the NVIDIA G-Sync technology.
Playing single-player games or watching a movie on this 34inch LED-backlit display is really breathtaking and it maintains a 21:9 widescreen aspect ratio. Get to view sharp and clear images of your games especially during dark scenes and all the credit goes to its 1000:1 contrast ratio along with 30nits brightness.
With 16.7m color support, it efficiently renders almost all the colors from the scenes thus creating a lively visual output. A highlighting point of this display is its 1900R curved infinity screen that not only minimizes eye movement but also enhances your field of vision.
To give you an edge in your online game, it gets you six gaming modes where three of the modes can be personalized. Moreover, it also receives an AlienFX customizable RGB lighting effect that changes its effect according to the game type. Along with the iconic ultrathin 3-side bezel, it also features an adjustable stand with a swivel, tilt, and height adjustment facility. It also excels well in the interface section and its HDMI, DisplayPort and USB 3.0 port serve as the proof.
2. AOC Agon AG352UCG6 – A 35in Curved Gaming 120Hz Monitor
- 3440 X 1440 QHD resolution
- VA panel.
- 300nits and 2500:1 contrast ratio.
- 120Hz refresh rate with the 4ms response time.
- NVIDIA G-Sync.
Features Overview:
When you talk about 120hz big-screen gaming, one model that takes center stage is AOC Agon AG352UCG6 which is cheap but good. With this monitor, you are always in for a visual treat, as it utilizes a 35inch screen and VA panel to give you the best possible gaming experience.
However, its 3440 X 1440 ultra-wide resolution with a 2500:1 contrast ratio makes the main difference by delivering state of the earth cinematic gaming visuals. It gets the blend of 4ms response time and 120Hz refresh rate which make sure you always get fluidic game-play with minimal lag.
With the blend of 100% sRGB coverage and 300nits brightness, it will bombard you with visuals of high color accuracy and clarity. To add to the smooth gaming visuals, it also gets support NVIDIA G-Sync which offers fast rendering and razor-sharp clarity.
It is one of the best value for money displays that totally immerses you in the game or movie with its 1800R curvature. It gets a 178-degree viewing angle so you can expect it offers a clear view from an even extreme perspective.
To add to the viewing experience, it treats you with an adjustable stand that offers height adjustment, swivel, and tilt modification. Many gamers prefer this top-rated 120Hz monitor because it provides game mode, game color, and shadow control that notches up the gaming experience.
AOC has geared this model with HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort, and USB 3.0 and they are quite sufficient for all standard connections. The whole screen is molded with a thin bezel so that it offers the best view.
If you are someone who loves to play games on a big screen on the 120Hz monitor but can’t spend a good chunk, then AOC Agon AG352UCG6 would be the right choice.
3. G-STORY GS173H– A Portable 120Hz Gaming Monitor
- 1920 X 1080 resolution with HDR.
- 120Hz refresh rate.
- 1ms response time with FreeSync.
- GamePlus mode.
- TN Panel
- Thin body design with bracket.
- Dual HDMI input.
Features Overview:
G-STORY GS173H is one of a kind 120Hz monitor that not only treats you with mindboggling visuals but also portable facilities. The realism and high-quality visuals it brings out in every gaming scene are really commendable, and the credit goes to its 1080p resolution with TN panel.
Moreover, it also gets supports from HDR that allows the screen to enhance the detailing and lighting affecting all the gaming scenes. Experience ultra-smooth gaming with its 120Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time as it efficiently renders all the scenes without ghosting or stuttering. What’s more? AMD FreeSync technology will enhance the frame rate of all your games by a large margin.
We can assure you it will leave you amazed with its accurate color reproduction as it gets support from 100% sRGB. Whether you are playing alone or with friends, everyone will get a proper view, and it is due to the 178-degree viewing angle. Many consider it as one of the best-rated 120Hz monitors because it offers terrific visuals and unique facilities like FPS/FTS GamePlus modes.
With flicker-free backlighting and a blue light filter, enjoy a long gaming session with minimal eye fatigue. Even though it features an inbuilt speaker but it would be smart to use an external headphone for a better audio experience.
Never fear a shortage of interfaces in this display, and it is due to the availability of dual HDMI, USB Type-C, and dual 3.55mm port. The slim body profile, 6.8lbs weight, durable case, sliding bracket, and VESA mount makes it extremely portable gaming in the market.
4. BenQ 24 Inch IPS Monitor
- 24inch Wide-LED backlit screen.
- 1920 X 1080 resolution.
- 350nits and 1000:1 contrast ratio.
- 2ms response time with the 120Hz refresh rate.
- Game Mode.
- VESA 100 X 100 compatibility.
Features Overview:
Another prolific addition to this list of cheap monitors with a 120Hz refresh rate is BenQ XL2420T that is widely is used in competitive tournaments throughout the world. It may look simple but it has the prowess to outclass many top-end monitors, and all the credit goes to its 1920 X 1080 resolution with TN panel.
The quality it brings out from every gaming scene is simply incredible, and it is all because of 350nits brightness and 1000:1 contrast ratio. However, with 72% color gamut coverage and FRC features, it makes the visuals more beautiful as it can bring more color tones.
With a 2ms response time and 120Hz refresh rate, it pampers you with an enhanced gaming experience without smearing, and this is the reason it is used in many international tournaments. Most importantly it comes with specially designed Game Modes like FPS where the display automatically calibrates the settings to give you an over other players. While using this display, you can say every place in your room will have the best view as it gets a 170-degree viewing angle.
It even gets the assistance of NVIDIA 3D Vision 2 ready with smart scaling thus allowing enjoy single-players in a 3D environment. Adjustment won’t be a problem as its flexible stand is geared with 90-degree pivot, tilt, swivel, and height adjustment features. Similarly, it is also flexible in the connectivity section, and it is due to HDMI, D-Sub, DisplayPort, and 3.5mm out. Lastly, you can easily mount it anywhere with its VESA 100 X 100mm wall-mounting compatibility.
5. Lenovo 65D1KCC1US Think Vision L23i-18
- 23 Inches.
- 1920 x 1080 Pixels.
- 14.98 x 7.26 x 20.57 inches.
- 6.38 pounds.
Features Overview:
When you’re looking for a screen on a budget, it can become frustratingly clear just how many manufacturers feel the need to add some kind of extra features or items to their product; these frills are thoughtful in some cases, laughable in others, and almost always mean that the purchase will be more expensive than simply buying the item in which you are interested. This screen provides a refreshing break from such things, delivering to its users the simple and straightforward purchase of a powerful multipurpose monitor with none of the extras or expense.
The physical measurements on this model are 17.3 inches on the diagonal, with no curve to speak of; with less than two inches from front to back to give an ultra-thin design not normally seen in budget electronics. It comes in a plain black finish, with a matte coating that makes it highly receptive to any skins or trimming you may want to attach to it for aesthetic purposes.
After the size of the screen, most people find themselves wanting to know whether or not it will connect to their choice of devices; in this case, the manufacturer has taken care to include full-size universal ports that should make it easy to connect a console, computer, or laptop just by plugging it in. Users will have their choice of full-size HDMI or USB-C for data transfer, making it compatible not only with desktop platforms but with some newer smartphones as well.
If there’s one thing that might have someone thinking twice about this product, it’s that the port selection makes it a poor choice for Apple products; because Apple uses proprietary ports, it will not fit any of the ports on this screen without an adapter. Additionally, the no-frills design means that you won’t get any brackets or stands for the screen, something to keep in mind when looking for a place to install your new monitor.
6. NEC Business Class
- Panel technology IPS.
- Aspect ratio 16: 9.
- Pixel Pitch 0. 31 mm.
- Viewable image size 27 “
- Native resolution 1920×1080.
- 120 hertz
Features Overview:
Perhaps one of the most frustrating things about buying a monitor is opening the box and discovering that inches of the space promised on your screen is in fact taken up by bezels, the margins formed around a screen by the casing of the monitor that holds the screen itself in place. The Business Class aims at solving this problem specifically, trimming the bezels as razor-thin as possible to give you as much screen as you need.
The monitor measures 27 inches across, with nearly all of the space fully available to the user thanks to a bezel of half an inch, and measures 28 inches by 19. It is eight inches thick front to back, so a certain amount of space will be necessary to position it safely, and weighs 22 pounds without the stand.
Included in the box, the stand is 155 millimeters tall and can be adjusted to give any height above the mounting surface up to that point. In addition to the telescoping neck, the mounting includes a limited gimbal hinge, making it possible to adjust the screen to a comfortable tilt without needing any external support.
There are full-size DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI-D, and VGA inputs, so the user will have a healthy selection of options available to stream content to their new screen. The screen uses a high-resolution LED backlight to produce images, giving rich color and crisp definition not found on LCD or plasma screens.
The main detriment of this model is the central base, which leaves it somewhat unstable; combined with the thickness of the screen and the hinge, it may be hard to find a good position when setting it up. There are also no alternate mourning options included, so you will need to buy a bracket if you want something more permanent or stable.
7. Electric Magic NS
- Resolution: 1920X1080.
- Ultra-thin induction design.
- Full visual angle: 178°.
- Power supply: PD protocol 5-20V“
- 120 hertz
Features Overview:
Most external monitors are built with a bracket or stand mounting in mind, these being the more traditional ways to hold such a monitor; they’re both perfectly serviceable, of course, but each limits the user to some degree in where and how the monitor can be positioned. This monitor uses a new triangular base to provide firm support along the entire bottom edge of the screen, allowing for more diverse placement options and a revolutionary experience for the buyer.
Buyers will receive a 17.5-inch screen, with 1920 by 1080 resolution and a 16:9 aspect ratio that makes it suitable for viewing, working, or gaming in comfort. The screen is built thin and light to accommodate the novel stand design, and so gains itself the added benefit of being a viable option for a full-size portable monitor, able to be packed in an ordinary laptop case and taken out along with the computer wherever the user should need a bit more screen space.
The monitor’s triangle base is as long as the screen itself and flips easily into position on any surface. Unfortunately, this does not allow the user much room to adjust the screen angle
This modern, slender design is complimented by some of the port choices that have been made, reflecting a heavily modular approach to connectivity. Despite the narrow profile, Users will have full audio ports, HDMI 2, and USB-C connections available, which should allow nearly any Windows or Android device to plug straight in.
Unfortunately, this does leave a major hole in the monitor’s usefulness for Apple users, as the monitor is not compatible with many Apple graphics transfer options; iOS users will need to use USB to hook in instead of proprietary cables. The thin and light nature has a hidden weakness as well – this monitor is far more fragile than many similarly-sized ones, so a protective case will be necessary.
Conclusion
As you can see we have kept the list simple and crisp so that it is easier for you to choose the 120Hz monitor that will meet the requirement. Even though we have only included seven models but we have tried to keep variation so that all the models don’t have monotony in the feature list except the 120Hz refresh rate and some common features. Gamers who love to have an experience of big-screen gaming can opt for Dell Alienware AW3418DW or AOC Agon AG352UCG6 as none of them won’t disappoint them in any way.
However, G-STORY GS173H, on the other hand, serves as a suitable option who are looking for a lot of features in their cheap 120Hz monitors. All these models have been selected after thoroughly testing a lot of products from different brands. Most importantly neither we are associated with any of the organizing nor all these models are paid promotions. Our team has tried to put a helping hand so you can get your ideal 120Hz monitor.
