MSI MP225 22" Matte Black 2025

The MSI MP225 is a budget 21.5-inch 1080p IPS monitor with a 100Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. It's a great cheap option for office work, light gaming, and multi-monitor setups, especially if you catch it at the low end of its $65 to $109 US price range. Just don't expect built-in speakers or a feature-rich stand.

The MP225 runs at 1920 x 1080 with a 100Hz refresh rate, which is a noticeable step up from the 60Hz panels most budget monitors ship with. Scrolling feels smoother, and light gaming benefits from the extra frames. The 1ms MPRT response time helps reduce motion blur, though MPRT numbers are always a bit optimistic compared to real-world gray-to-gray performance. In our database, this monitor lands around the 68th percentile for overall performance, which is decent for the price bracket.

Color coverage is 107.4% sRGB and 84% DCI-P3, which puts it right around the middle of the pack. It's fine for office work, web browsing, and casual media, but don't expect vibrant HDR or pro-level accuracy. Brightness tops out at 250 nits, so it's best in a room without harsh direct sunlight. The 1300:1 static contrast ratio is actually a bit better than typical IPS panels in this range, which helps blacks look less washed out.

Stacked against the ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL5A or the LG UltraGear 27GS75Q-B, the MP225 is in a completely different weight class. Those are 27-inch 1440p gaming monitors with higher refresh rates and better color, but they also cost several times more. If you have the budget and desk space, the ASUS or LG are better primary displays. The Acer Nitro XV272U W2bmiiprx is another strong 1440p option that outclasses the MP225 in nearly every spec, but again, it's a different price tier.

Closer to home, the Samsung Odyssey G5 G53F is a more direct competitor in spirit. It's a budget gaming monitor with a higher refresh rate, but it uses a VA panel, which means worse viewing angles than the MP225's IPS screen. The SANSUI 27 inch is another budget pick that gives you more screen real estate for similar money, but you lose the MSI's build quality and eye-care features. For a compact 22-inch class monitor, the MP225 holds its own, but it's really competing on price and simplicity more than raw specs.

At $65 to $109 in the US, the MP225 is aggressively priced. The spread across vendors is worth paying attention to. We saw listings as low as $65 and as high as $109 for the same panel, so it pays to shop around. The best deal in our data comes from the lower end of that range, and honestly, at $65 this thing is a steal for a 100Hz IPS monitor. At $109 it's still reasonable, but you're getting closer to territory where a bit more money buys a larger screen or better connectivity. If you're outside the US, pricing gets weird. The CAD listing at $90 is fine, but the EUR and GBP prices we saw are inflated compared to the US market, so international buyers should compare carefully before pulling the trigger.

The MSI MP225 is a 21.5-inch 1080p IPS monitor aimed at budget-conscious shoppers who want a smooth 100Hz refresh rate without spending much. In the US it floats between $65 and $109 depending on the vendor, which puts it firmly in entry-level territory. It's not trying to be a gaming beast or a color-critical display. It's a compact, no-fuss screen for everyday work, light gaming, and multi-monitor setups.

People searching for a cheap 100Hz monitor will find the MP225 checks a lot of boxes on paper. You get an IPS panel with wide viewing angles, a 1ms MPRT response time, and Adaptive-Sync support. MSI also throws in their EyesErgo tech with Low Blue Light and Anti-Flicker, which is nice if you stare at spreadsheets all day. Just don't expect built-in speakers or a fancy stand.

We pulled data from our database and real buyer feedback across multiple stores. The short version: this is a solid second monitor or budget primary display, but it's not without compromises. The connectivity is sparse, the brightness is modest, and the stand only tilts. Still, for the price, it's hard to argue with what you get.

Skip the MP225 if you need built-in speakers, multiple modern inputs, or a bright display for a sunlit room. The single HDMI port plus VGA is limiting if you want to connect a laptop, console, and streaming stick at once. Creative professionals who need accurate DCI-P3 coverage or high brightness should look elsewhere, maybe at the Acer Nitro XV272U or a mid-range Dell UltraSharp. And if you're a competitive gamer chasing high refresh rates, the Samsung Odyssey G5 or ASUS TUF line will serve you better, though you'll pay more for the privilege.

Should you buy the MSI MP225? If you need a cheap, compact monitor for a second screen, a home office, or light gaming, yes. It's a straightforward 1080p IPS panel with a 100Hz refresh rate, decent color for the price, and eye-care features that actually matter if you're at a desk all day. The VESA mount support is a big plus for multi-monitor setups, and the low 15W power draw is a nice bonus.

But if you're a serious gamer or someone who needs accurate color for creative work, this isn't the monitor for you. The single HDMI port is limiting, the lack of speakers means you'll need headphones or external audio, and the 250 nits brightness can feel dim in a sunny room. For the price, these are acceptable trade-offs. Just know what you're getting into.