Best Overall Value
The VG248QG has been around long enough to have a proper track record, and that's exactly why it tops this list. When you're looking at the Best ASUS Monitors Under £500 UK 2026 | 6 Compared & Ranked, you want something that delivers on its promises consistently. This one does.
The 165Hz refresh rate and 0.5ms response time make it genuinely quick. Not just on paper, either. In fast-paced shooters and racing games, the motion clarity is noticeably sharper than slower IPS panels. G-Sync Compatible certification means NVIDIA GPU owners get tear-free gaming without paying for a full G-Sync module. FreeSync works fine too, so AMD users aren't left out.
It's a TN panel, which means viewing angles aren't as wide as IPS. Colours shift if you're looking from the side, and the contrast ratio is typical TN territory. For a single-player gaming setup or desk where you sit directly in front, that's rarely a problem. For shared viewing or content creation where colour accuracy matters, you might want to look elsewhere in this list.
The stand offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustment. That's proper ergonomics at this price. Build quality feels solid, nothing rattles, and the OSD is straightforward to navigate. Connectivity covers DisplayPort, HDMI, and DVI, so you're covered for older and newer systems alike.
At its current price, the VG248QG represents the kind of value that keeps it relevant years after launch. Competitive gamers who prioritise speed over colour richness will find it hard to beat in this price bracket.
Pros
- 165Hz and 0.5ms genuinely fast for competitive gaming
- G-Sync Compatible and FreeSync support
- Full ergonomic stand with height, tilt, swivel, pivot
- DP, HDMI, and DVI connectivity
- Proven long-term reliability
Cons
- TN panel means narrower viewing angles than IPS
- Colours not as vibrant as VA or IPS alternatives
- 1080p resolution feels modest at this price point in 2026
Buy on Amazon£348.34
Best Under £100
Here's the thing: a 1440p monitor at 300Hz for under £250 would have seemed unlikely even two years ago. This is the best budget pick in our Best ASUS Monitors Under £500 UK 2026 | 6 Compared & Ranked roundup, and it's not hard to see why.
The jump from 1080p to 1440p on a 27-inch screen is immediately obvious. Text is sharper, game environments have more detail, and you're not squinting at individual pixels. Pair that with 300Hz and you've got a monitor that suits both competitive players and those who want a more immersive experience without going full OLED.
At under £250, compromises exist. The panel won't match the contrast or black levels of the ROG OLED above it in this list. But for the price, colour accuracy is decent and the IPS panel keeps viewing angles wide enough for comfortable use. Response times are solid for the refresh rate on offer.
This is the monitor to buy if your budget is firm but you refuse to settle for 1080p. It's a proper step up from entry-level screens and sits in a sweet spot that makes it one of the most compelling options in the entire Best ASUS Monitors Under £500 UK 2026 | 6 Compared & Ranked selection.
Pros
- 1440p resolution at a genuinely budget price
- 300Hz refresh rate for competitive gaming
- IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- Excellent price-to-performance ratio
Cons
- Contrast won't match VA or OLED panels
- Needs a capable GPU to push 300Hz at 1440p
- Less premium build than ROG-tier options
Buy on Amazon£224.00
Best Under £50
Under £70 for a 180Hz Fast IPS monitor with 100% sRGB coverage. Honestly, that's a bit ridiculous in the best possible way. The VG249Q3R is the kind of monitor that makes you question why anyone would spend more unless they genuinely need 1440p or higher refresh rates.
Fast IPS is the key spec here. It's not a slow IPS panel with blurry motion. ASUS's Fast IPS technology brings the response time down to 1ms GTG, which is competitive with TN panels while keeping the better colour accuracy and viewing angles IPS is known for. The 180Hz refresh rate is more than enough for most gaming scenarios, and FreeSync support keeps things tear-free on AMD setups.
100% sRGB coverage means colours are accurate out of the box. For gaming, that translates to environments that look as the developers intended. It's not a content creation monitor, but for gaming and general use it's properly sorted.
The build is functional rather than flashy. The stand is basic, offering tilt only. No height adjustment here, which is a real limitation if you care about ergonomics. But at this price, you're getting the panel technology right, and that's what matters most.
For anyone on a tight budget who still wants a fast, capable gaming monitor, the VG249Q3R is the obvious answer. It earns its Best Under £50 badge by delivering specs that cost significantly more elsewhere.
Pros
- Exceptional value for 180Hz Fast IPS
- 1ms GTG response time
- 100% sRGB colour coverage
- FreeSync and Variable Overdrive support
- Extreme Low Motion Blur technology
Cons
- Tilt-only stand, no height adjustment
- 1080p resolution only
- Basic build quality compared to pricier TUF models
Buy on Amazon
Best Build Quality
Not everyone needs the fastest refresh rate or the most exotic panel technology. Sometimes you just want a monitor that works well, looks decent, and doesn't require a manual to set up. That's exactly where the ASUS TUF Gaming 24-inch sits in this Best ASUS Monitors Under £500 UK 2026 | 6 Compared & Ranked comparison.
The TUF Gaming range has always been about reliable performance at sensible prices. This 24-inch model delivers a solid gaming experience without overwhelming you with settings or requiring calibration out of the box. Colours are accurate enough for everyday gaming and general use, and the refresh rate keeps things smooth.
Build quality is proper TUF standard. The stand feels sturdy, the bezel is slim, and the overall design is understated enough to fit most desk setups without looking like a gaming peripheral from 2015. The OSD is clear and easy to navigate, which matters more than people give it credit for when you're just trying to adjust brightness quickly.
At around £267, it sits in the mid-range of this roundup. There are faster monitors here for less money, and there are better panels for more. But for someone buying their first proper gaming monitor, or upgrading from a basic office display, this is a sensible, low-risk choice that won't disappoint.
Pros
- Straightforward setup, no fuss out of the box
- Solid TUF Gaming build quality
- Good all-round performance for gaming and general use
- Clean, understated design
Cons
- Not the fastest or best-specced monitor at this price
- Better value options exist in this roundup for pure gaming
Buy on Amazon£265.31
Best Curved Option
280Hz on a curved VA panel is a combination you don't see often. Most ultra-high refresh monitors use IPS or TN panels. The VG27VQM1B takes a different approach, and it pays off in some areas while making compromises in others.
The VA panel brings noticeably better contrast than IPS alternatives. Blacks are deeper, dark scenes in games look more atmospheric, and the 90% DCI-P3 colour coverage means colours are rich and saturated. For single-player games where atmosphere matters, this is a genuinely enjoyable panel to look at.
The 280Hz refresh rate is impressive for a VA panel. ELMB (Extreme Low Motion Blur) technology helps keep fast motion clean, and FreeSync Premium ensures smooth adaptive sync performance. At 1080p on a 27-inch screen, pixel density is lower than you'd get on a 24-inch panel, so text and fine details aren't as sharp. That's a trade-off worth knowing about before buying.
The curved design works well at 27 inches, pulling the edges of the screen into your peripheral vision more naturally. It's not for everyone, but if you've been considering a curved monitor, this is a solid entry point without paying premium prices.
Pros
- 280Hz on a VA panel is genuinely unusual and impressive
- Better contrast than IPS alternatives
- 90% DCI-P3 colour coverage
- FreeSync Premium and ELMB support
- Curved design enhances immersion
Cons
- 1080p on 27 inches means lower pixel density
- VA response times can show ghosting in very fast scenes
- Curved design not universally preferred
Buy on Amazon
Best Eye Care
The VY279HGE is built around comfort as much as performance. If you spend long hours in front of a screen, whether for work, study, or gaming, the Eye Care features here are genuinely useful rather than just marketing copy.
The blue light filter reduces the wavelengths most associated with eye strain and disrupted sleep. Flicker-free backlight eliminates the subtle pulsing that causes headaches during long sessions. The antibacterial screen treatment is a nice touch for shared setups or office environments. These aren't gimmicks. They make a real difference over hours of use.
The 27-inch IPS panel at 144Hz is a solid combination for mixed gaming and productivity use. SmoothMotion technology helps with motion clarity, and 1ms MPRT keeps things sharp enough for casual to mid-level gaming. It's not a monitor for competitive esports, but it handles everyday gaming and productivity tasks without complaint.
At around £229, it's priced fairly for what it offers. Not the best pure gaming monitor in this roundup, but a genuinely good all-rounder for people who use their monitor for more than just games.
Pros
- Comprehensive Eye Care features for long sessions
- 27-inch IPS with wide viewing angles
- 144Hz suitable for gaming and general use
- Antibacterial screen treatment
- FreeSync support
Cons
- 1080p at 27 inches is lower pixel density than ideal
- Not fast enough for serious competitive gaming
- Pricier than some faster alternatives in this list
Buy on Amazon
Best for Long Sessions
The VY279HGR is the more affordable sibling to the VY279HGE above, and at around £84 it's a genuinely decent option for anyone who needs a large screen without spending much. Eye Care Plus is the upgraded version of ASUS's eye comfort suite, with improved blue light filtering and flicker-free performance.
The 120Hz refresh rate (overclockable from the standard 60Hz base) is adequate for casual gaming and very comfortable for everyday use. It's not going to satisfy anyone chasing high frame rates in competitive shooters. But for strategy games, RPGs, productivity, or study, 120Hz is smooth and pleasant.
IPS panel means colours are accurate and viewing angles are wide. The antibacterial treatment and SmoothMotion technology carry over from the higher-spec Eye Care models. Adaptive Sync keeps things tear-free when gaming.
Honestly, this is the monitor for someone who needs a large, comfortable screen on a tight budget and isn't primarily a gamer. It does what it does well. Just don't expect it to compete with the faster panels higher up in this Best ASUS Monitors Under £500 UK 2026 | 6 Compared & Ranked list.
Pros
- Very affordable for a 27-inch IPS panel
- Eye Care Plus for comfortable long sessions
- Antibacterial screen treatment
- Adaptive Sync support
- Wide IPS viewing angles
Cons
- 120Hz OC is modest compared to other options here
- Not suited to competitive or fast-paced gaming
- 1080p at 27 inches shows pixel density limitations
Buy on Amazon£84.00