Acer SB3 22"

A cheap 22-inch monitor with a surprisingly smooth 100Hz refresh rate, but the single HDMI port and dim, washed-out panel keep it firmly in budget territory. Buy it for a secondary setup, not your main display.

The 100Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time are the highlights here, and they're genuinely solid for a monitor in this price range. Our database puts it at the 67th percentile for performance, which means it's above average but nowhere near the top. The 250 nits brightness is a letdown though. In a bright room, you'll be squinting. And that 100,000,000:1 contrast ratio Acer loves to quote? That's marketing math, not real-world performance. The IPS panel helps with viewing angles, but the color accuracy lands in the 16th percentile, which is rough. Expect washed-out colors out of the box.

Stacked against the LG UltraGear 27G640A-B or the Samsung Odyssey LS27BG402ENXGO, the Acer SB3 looks like a toy. Those are 27-inch panels with better color, more ports, and proper gaming features. The ASUS ROG Strix XG27JCG is in a completely different league. But here's the thing: those monitors cost two to three times as much. The SB3's real competition is other sub-USD 100 panels, and in that space, the 100Hz refresh rate is actually a differentiator. Just don't expect it to hang with the big boys.

At USD 77 to USD 90, this is cheap. Like, 'throw it in the cart without thinking' cheap. But you get what you pay for. The single HDMI port and mediocre color performance mean you're making real compromises. If you're in the US, the lower end of that USD 13 spread is the better deal, but honestly, even at USD 77, I'd pause. This is a monitor for a secondary setup or a kid's first gaming rig, not your main display.

The Acer SB3 is a budget 22-inch monitor that tries to punch above its weight with a 100Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. That's the one thing to know: it's a cheap gaming-focused display, not a workhorse. The specs look decent on paper for the price, but the details tell a different story. You get a single HDMI port, 250 nits of brightness, and basically zero ergonomic adjustments. It's a no-frills panel for people who just need something that turns on and displays a picture.

If you're looking for a monitor for photo editing, video work, or anything where color accuracy matters, this isn't it. Go grab a Dell P P2723DE or something with better color coverage and an adjustable stand. Also skip it if you need multiple inputs or plan to mount it on an arm.

The Acer SB3 is a budget monitor that delivers exactly what it promises: a basic 1080p display with a decent refresh rate. If you need a cheap second screen or a starter monitor for casual gaming, it'll do the job. But if you care about color accuracy, connectivity, or ergonomics, this isn't the one. Spend a bit more and get something with at least a DisplayPort and a stand that moves.