Samsung Essential Monitor G31H 27"

144Hz, 1ms, and FreeSync for under $90. It's dim and basic, but it's the best budget gaming monitor we've tested this year.

The 144Hz refresh rate is the star here, and it lands in the 73rd percentile for performance in our database. That's well above average for this price class. The 1ms MPRT response time keeps motion blur in check, and FreeSync support means no tearing if you're on an AMD card. What surprised us is how usable this thing is for everyday stuff too. The IPS panel gives you wide viewing angles, so it's not just a one-trick gaming pony. But the 250 nits brightness is a weak spot. In a bright room, you'll notice it struggling.

The G31H sits in a weird spot. The ASUS ROG Strix XG27JCG and Acer Nitro XV272U W2bmiiprx both offer higher resolutions and better color, but they cost significantly more. The LG UltraGear 27GS75Q-B is a closer rival, but it's also pricier and aimed at a slightly higher tier. If you're comparing against the HP OMEN 27qs G2, you're looking at a better panel but double the price. For pure budget 1080p gaming, the Samsung undercuts all of them. But if you can stretch your budget, the Acer Nitro gives you 1440p and better color for not a huge jump in price.

At $85 to $90, this is a steal if you just want a fast 1080p gaming monitor. You're getting 144Hz, FreeSync, and an IPS panel for less than a decent dinner for two. The trade-offs are real, dim brightness and limited ports, but for the price, it's hard to complain. If you're on a tight budget and gaming is your priority, this is the one to get.

The Samsung Essential Monitor G3 G31H is a 27-inch 1080p IPS panel that nails the basics for budget gaming. The headline is the 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, which is exactly what you want if you're chasing smooth frames without spending real money. At around $85 to $90 on the street, it's hard to argue with what you get. But don't expect much beyond the core spec sheet. This is a monitor that knows its lane and stays in it.

If you're looking for a bright, color-accurate monitor for photo editing or a bright office, this isn't it. Go get something like the Acer Nitro XV272U W2bmiiprx instead. And if you need more than two inputs, you'll be frustrated by the single HDMI and single DisplayPort. This is a gaming monitor first, and everything else is a distant second.

The Samsung G3 G31H is the budget 1080p gaming monitor to beat right now. It's not flashy, it's not bright, and it won't win any color accuracy awards. But it delivers exactly what it promises: fast, smooth gaming at a price that's almost impossible to argue with. If you're building a budget rig or just need a second monitor for competitive games, this is the easy choice.