The MSI MAG 245F X24 is the best budget gaming monitor under 150 for most PC players at its observed $119.99 price. Its 24-inch-class IPS screen supports 1080p at 240Hz. Spend closer to the cap on the KTC H24T7 if you prefer sharper 1440p detail, or save with the LG 24G411A-B if 120Hz already meets your needs.
Quick verdict: The best budget gaming monitor under 150
Pick the MSI MAG 245F X24 for a small gaming desk and a PC that regularly pushes high frame rates at 1080p. The $119.99 listing gives you room below the cap, and MSI documents up to 240Hz over HDMI as well as DisplayPort. If you play a mix of competitive games and more demanding single-player titles, you can use the same screen at a lower frame rate.
The KTC H24T7 is the resolution upgrade for buyers who use the screen for text and games and whose GPU can handle 1440p. Samsung’s 24-inch G30D is the more practical choice if your desk needs a stand you can raise. The Dell SE2726HGS gives you a larger picture, the ViewSonic VX2418C adds a curve, and the LG 24G411A-B makes sense when a lower checkout price is the priority.
Quick comparison table
These are observed US item prices for new listings before tax and shipping. The $150 ceiling is strict for the listed item price. The refresh figures are the manufacturer-documented maxima or standard rates plus optional overclocks. If your budget applies to the checkout total, give yourself more room than the $149.99 listings allow.
| Model | Screen | Refresh | Observed price | Best reason to choose it | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSI MAG 245F X24 | 23.8-inch flat IPS, 1080p | 240Hz | $119.99 | Compact screen with a high refresh ceiling | Basic stand |
| LG UltraGear 24G411A-B | 24-inch-class flat IPS, 1080p | 120Hz, 144Hz overclock | $99.99 | Lowest observed price in the group | Lower refresh ceiling |
| Samsung Odyssey G3 G30D LS24DG302ENXZA | 24-inch-class flat VA, 1080p | 180Hz | $119.99 | Height, tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustments | Check dark motion in your games |
| ViewSonic VX2418C | 24-inch-class curved VA, 1080p | 180Hz | $119.99 | 1500R curve for a centered seat | Less flexible for off-center viewing |
| KTC H24T7 | 24-inch-class flat Fast IPS, 1440p | 180Hz, 185Hz overclock | $149.99 | Higher pixel density on a small desk | More GPU load and virtually no price headroom |
| Dell SE2726HGS | 27-inch flat IPS, 1080p | 240Hz | $149.99 | Larger picture and adjustable stand | Lower pixel density than compact Full HD |
How the monitors were selected
The shortlist starts with the tasks a monitor upgrade should solve. Some buyers want smoother motion from a desktop that already runs games quickly. Others need readable text, a screen that fits their desk, or a display they can position without buying an arm. Each pick addresses a distinct need while meeting the same observed item-price limit.
Manufacturer pages establish native resolution, refresh modes, panel type, and relevant inputs or adjustments. Retail listings establish the observed price. Rankings reflect those documented features and buying trade-offs. Panel technology and advertised response figures offer context, but they cannot establish a measured ranking for motion clarity, brightness, or input lag across the six monitors.
A discount can change the order quickly. If the MSI and Samsung cost the same, the choice is between a higher refresh ceiling and a more flexible stand. If either rises above the cap, use the other model’s strengths to decide whether it still fits. Verify the exact SKU, seller, condition, and return cost before ordering from a listing that combines several variants.
Six budget gaming monitors compared
The best upgrade depends on what currently limits your setup. For an older PC, staying at 1080p may preserve playable frame rates. For a desk used equally for games and work, a 1440p panel or an adjustable stand can make a bigger daily difference than refresh. The options below separate those priorities.
MSI MAG 245F X24: Best budget gaming monitor under 150 for most PC players
The MAG 245F X24 uses a flat 23.8-inch Rapid IPS panel with native 1920 × 1080 resolution and a 240Hz maximum. MSI documents 1080p at up to 240Hz over both HDMI and DisplayPort. That flexibility matters if your desktop and laptop use different outputs or if you want to leave a second source connected.
The screen is small enough to scan comfortably in a competitive game, and 1080p asks the GPU to process fewer pixels than QHD. A desktop that already delivers high frame rates in a shooter can take advantage of the refresh ceiling without adding the rendering cost of a resolution upgrade. In a demanding title that runs around 75 fps, stable frame pacing and adaptive sync will matter more than the difference between a 180Hz and a 240Hz limit.
The regular X24’s stand adjusts for tilt. If your desk is high or you need to align the screen with an existing display, compare the total cost of an arm with a model that includes height adjustment. Match the full model name when ordering, since MSI also sells a curved MAG 245C X24 and a separate MAG 245PF X24.
Buy if: You play fast PC games, want a compact IPS display, and can get the exact model near $120.
Skip if: You would spend most of the price savings on a mount just to reach a comfortable height. The Samsung or Dell has an adjustable stand.
LG UltraGear 24G411A-B: The lowest observed price
The LG pairs a compact Full HD IPS display with a standard 120Hz refresh rate and an optional 144Hz overclock. It was listed at $99.99 by B&H. That leaves about $50 before the $150 item-price cap, which makes it a good fit for a first gaming setup where shipping, tax, or an audio accessory may also need to fit the budget.
The LG is a straightforward upgrade for someone who still uses a 60Hz screen and plays a mix of indie games, older releases, and occasional multiplayer. Start at 120Hz and evaluate that mode before enabling the overclock. If 144Hz is important, verify that the intended input and source support it and that the setting appears in your operating system. LG identifies the monitor as G-SYNC Compatible, but the usable configuration still depends on the connected hardware.
For console use, check the exact 1080p 120Hz mode on the console and monitor before buying. A higher advertised PC timing or an adaptive-sync label does not establish which modes a console will negotiate. If you also need audio, confirm whether your planned headphones or speakers connect to the monitor, console, controller, or PC.
Buy if: You want a small IPS screen with a clear upgrade over 60Hz and value the lower delivered price.
Skip if: Your PC reliably generates close to 200 fps and competitive gaming drives the purchase. The MSI’s observed price was only $20 higher.
Samsung Odyssey G3 G30D: An adjustable stand for a shared desk
The 24-inch Odyssey G3 G30D, model LS24DG302ENXZA, combines native 1080p and a 180Hz maximum with a flat VA panel. Its included stand supports height adjustment, tilt, swivel, and pivot. That makes it a useful choice for a desk shared between people or between gaming and work, especially when buying an arm would push the total price over budget.
Height adjustment helps if you use a laptop next to the monitor or need the top of the display lower for comfortable reading. Swivel is convenient if the same desk is used for gaming and a second activity from a slightly different seat. Pivot can help with vertical reading, but check desk clearance before rotating the screen. These features are available even if your games rarely exceed 100 fps.
VA is worth considering if you play in a dim room, but test near-black movement in your own games. A static dark scene and a rapid camera pan can look quite different. Start with a moderate response setting and compare an indoor scene at both low and high frame rates before using a more aggressive setting.
Buy if: You want the stand flexibility and the exact 24-inch model is still close to the observed $119.99.
Skip if: Your first priority is compact 240Hz PC play and your desk already places a fixed-height screen comfortably.
ViewSonic VX2418C: A compact curved option
The VX2418C combines Full HD, a 1500R curve, and an advertised 180Hz maximum in the manufacturer documentation used here. At the observed $119.99, it gives buyers a curved screen without needing a larger desk. The curve is most relevant if you sit centered and want the panel edges to wrap slightly into your view.
On a 24-inch-class panel, the bend is a preference you will notice most from a centered seat. If you regularly turn to a second monitor, or share the display with someone sitting off to the side, a flat model may be easier to position. The ViewSonic also has the motion considerations of a budget curved VA screen. Look for dark trailing during camera pans rather than treating the advertised response figure as a prediction of what every game will look like.
The manufacturer’s older US page path contains 165Hz wording even though the current page headline and datasheet describe a 180Hz version. Match the product documentation and retailer listing before ordering. If you intend to use HDMI, confirm the input’s supported mode before assuming the DisplayPort maximum carries over.
Buy if: The 1500R shape is a feature you actively want and your retailer identifies the 180Hz variant.
Skip if: You are indifferent to curvature. At the same observed price, the MSI gives you a higher refresh ceiling and the Samsung gives you more stand adjustment.
KTC H24T7: Compact 1440p for sharper text and game detail
The H24T7 uses a 24-inch-class 2560 × 1440 Fast IPS panel rated at 180Hz, with an optional 185Hz overclock. Its $149.99 listing makes it the sharpness choice in this group, provided your budget applies before tax and shipping. It suits a compact desk that still needs space for detailed game interfaces, browsing, or writing.
A 24-inch QHD display has about 122 pixels per inch, compared with about 92 for 1080p at the same size. That can make fine text and interface lines cleaner, and you can use operating-system scaling if the desktop looks too small at 100%. The graphics card also has about 78% more pixels to render at native QHD. That arithmetic describes the pixel count, while the actual frame-rate change depends on the game and hardware.
If your PC is already close to its limits at 1080p, decide whether you would accept lower graphics settings or use a quality upscaling mode to keep native-resolution desktop output. Check KTC’s timings before buying for the optional 185Hz mode. The manufacturer storefront also showed an above-cap listing during research, so use the verified under-cap retailer listing as the price reference.
Buy if: You want sharper desktop and game detail in a compact footprint and have a GPU that fits your 1440p target.
Skip if: Your $150 budget includes sales tax or your priority is preserving high frame rates on an older graphics card.
Dell SE2726HGS: A larger 240Hz screen with height adjustment
Dell’s SE2726HGS combines a 27-inch IPS panel, native 1080p, 240Hz, and a height-adjustable stand. The exact product page showed $149.99. It fits someone who sits farther back, wants a larger image, or needs the screen to rise without purchasing a separate mount. The final S in the model name distinguishes the adjustable-stand version.
The larger image can help if you lean back with a controller or want UI elements to occupy more physical space at the same resolution. At a close desk distance, however, the lower pixel density makes text and diagonal edges appear less fine than on a 24-inch 1080p panel. Compare the screen from your normal seating position. Looking at the pixel count alone misses the benefit of a larger picture for someone who sits farther away.
If this is a second monitor, measure its width against your primary display and speakers. Verify the input timing from the desktop or dock that will drive it, and use the height adjustment to align both screens. A large stand and a compact keyboard tray can still compete for the same desk space.
Buy if: You want a larger Full HD picture, 240Hz, and an adjustable stand near the cap.
Skip if: You sit close and want a sharper desktop. The KTC is the stronger fit for detail, while the MSI is the cheaper compact 240Hz option.
How to choose the best budget gaming monitor under 150
Start with the resolution your system handles comfortably, then choose a size and refresh rate that match how you play. Keep enough money for the actual delivered setup. A cheaper monitor that already fits your desk and works with your source can make better use of the budget than a higher-spec model that needs accessories.
Choose resolution before comparing refresh rates
Use a game you play often as a reference. If your PC comfortably exceeds 150 fps at 1080p and your priority is tracking moving targets, the MSI’s 240Hz ceiling gives it room to show more of those frames. If you use the monitor for several hours of desktop work and play games at lower frame rates, the sharper KTC can have a more visible impact across the day.
A refresh cycle is about 8.33 milliseconds at 120Hz, 5.56 at 180Hz, and 4.17 at 240Hz. These figures describe how often a refresh can occur. They do not measure pixel response, full system latency, or how many frames a GPU will produce. Compare refresh only after checking your game frame rates and identifying which modes your input supports.
Check the full connection path
Read the timing for the specific resolution and input. A PC with a direct DisplayPort output may reach a mode that a laptop dock cannot. If a display offers HDMI and DisplayPort, a specification on one connector does not automatically carry over to the other. Check the cable supplied with the monitor before budgeting for another one.
After connecting, select the native resolution and desired refresh in the operating system. Then verify adaptive sync in the monitor menu and graphics settings if you intend to use it. A console needs a separate check for its resolution, 120Hz support, and VRR protocol. Test a game with a supported performance mode before the return window closes.
Protect the checkout budget
Treat $149.99 as a near-cap item price. Even modest sales tax can take the total over $150. If $150 is all you can spend, compare the final order total for the LG, MSI, Samsung, and ViewSonic first. Include a cable, audio solution, or mount only if your setup needs one.
Check who sells and ships the exact SKU and whether return shipping is covered. During the return window, test the display with text, a dark game, and a quick multiplayer session. Look for dead pixels, distracting trails, unstable refresh behavior, and any stand-position problem that would require another purchase.
Frequently asked questions
Most last-minute questions come down to two things: whether your device can use the advertised mode and whether the upgrade will be visible in your games. The answers below separate those checks so you can decide whether to spend near the limit or keep some of the budget for the rest of the setup.
Is the best budget gaming monitor under 150 worth buying for a console?
Yes, if its HDMI input supports the console’s intended resolution and refresh rate. A monitor’s 240Hz PC mode does not give a console a 240Hz output. Confirm the modes your console lists and which games offer a 120Hz performance option. If you need VRR, check that feature for the exact pairing as well. Save the money on extra refresh if you will never connect a high-frame-rate PC.
Should I prioritize IPS or VA at this price?
Prioritize the specific use case. IPS is a practical starting point for a screen you view from several positions or share across a desk. VA can offer stronger native contrast for a centered player in a darker room, but some panels show longer trails on dark transitions. Use model-specific evidence when available and keep a return option if motion behavior is important to you.
Final verdict
Choose the MSI MAG 245F X24 for compact 1080p gaming at up to 240Hz near $120. Pick the KTC H24T7 for sharper 1440p detail if your GPU and budget can handle it, or save with the LG 24G411A-B. Confirm the exact SKU, refresh rate on your chosen input, and full checkout price before buying, especially near the $150 cap.
