Reviews  /  Displays
Displays

Budget 1440p Monitors, Benchmarked

Cheap high-refresh monitors used to mean obvious compromises. We put six sub-$300 1440p panels through a colorimeter, a response-time rig and a full working week to see what that money really buys today.

How We Tested

Our test bench

  • Colour accuracy measured with a colorimeter and calibrated white point.
  • Grey-to-grey response sampled at twenty points across the panel.
  • Peak brightness measured on a 10% window.
  • A full week of daily use for smearing, flicker and comfort.

What The Numbers Said

Two panels hit full sRGB coverage out of the box and held their refresh without visible overshoot. The cheapest unit advertised 165Hz but smeared badly below 90fps — a reminder that refresh rate means little without good pixel response.

PanelsRGBResponsePeak nitsScore
IPS-A99%4.1ms4029.1
IPS-B97%5.0ms3558.6
VA-budget91%9.8ms2906.9

Buying tip

  • Buy for pixel response, not the number on the box. A clean 100Hz beats a smeared 165Hz every time.

Our verdict

9.1/10

IPS-A covered full sRGB, responded in 4.1ms and looked correct out of the box at a budget price. The clearest value in our test set.

What we liked

  • Full sRGB coverage out of the box
  • Clean 165Hz with low overshoot
  • Sturdy stand and good ports

Worth knowing

  • HDR is nominal at this price
  • Contrast is average for IPS

Where to buy

We only link to authorised official stores. Authentic, and at no extra cost to you.

Check Latest Price