Best Overall Value
Price: £59.99 | Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.4)
KOORUI isn't a brand that rolls off the tongue, but this monitor makes a strong case for itself. For starters, 120Hz at this price is genuinely impressive. Most budget screens cap at 75Hz, so getting a proper 120Hz VA panel with Adaptive Sync puts the E2212H in a different league for anyone who games even occasionally. The VA panel brings decent contrast, so blacks look properly dark rather than the washed-out grey you get on cheaper IPS alternatives.
The 5ms response time is honest and usable. You won't be winning esports tournaments on it, but for casual gaming, it's absolutely fine. Adaptive Sync means screen tearing is kept in check without needing a premium GPU. VESA 100x100mm support is a nice touch at this price, meaning you can slap it on a monitor arm if your desk space is tight.
On the practical side, you get HDMI and VGA inputs. VGA is a bit old-fashioned, but it's useful if you're connecting an older laptop or desktop. The eye-care features (low blue light, flicker-free) are standard fare but appreciated for long study or work sessions. The stand is basic, tilt-only, which is the main compromise. And at 22 inches, it's on the smaller side. But for a first monitor that handles both work and gaming without fuss, this is the one to beat among the best starter monitors under £100.
Pros
- 120Hz refresh rate is rare at this price
- Adaptive Sync reduces screen tearing
- VESA compatible for monitor arm use
- Eye-care features for long sessions
- Solid VA contrast for gaming and movies
Cons
- 22 inches feels small on a large desk
- Tilt-only stand, no height adjustment
- No built-in speakers
- Relatively new brand with limited long-term track record
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Best Under £100
Price: £69.00 | Rating: ★★★★½ (4.8)
A 32-inch curved monitor with 240Hz for under £100. That sentence would have been laughable a few years ago. The AOC C32G2ZE makes it real, and it's a proper head-turner on a desk. The sheer size of this screen is its biggest selling point for starters who want maximum visual impact without a big budget.
The 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms MPRT response make it genuinely capable for fast-paced gaming. AMD FreeSync Premium is a step above basic FreeSync, requiring a minimum 120Hz at the native resolution with low framerate compensation. The 300 cd/m² brightness is reasonable, and the VA panel delivers the deep blacks that make gaming and films look dramatic.
Here's the honest bit, though. At 32 inches with a 1080p resolution, pixel density drops to around 69 PPI. That's noticeably softer than a 24-inch 1080p screen. Text can look a touch fuzzy up close, and fine details in games aren't as crisp. If you sit further back from your desk, this matters less. But for close-up productivity work, it's a real consideration. For a starter who wants a big, immersive gaming screen on a tight budget, it's hard to argue with the value here.
Pros
- 32-inch curved screen is genuinely impressive at this price
- 240Hz with FreeSync Premium for smooth gaming
- Deep VA contrast for vivid visuals
- Good brightness at 300 cd/m²
Cons
- Low pixel density at 32 inches with 1080p
- Text clarity suffers for close-up office work
- No built-in speakers
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Best Build Quality
Price: £74.97 | Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5)
At £59, the MSI PRO MP275 is remarkable. A 27-inch IPS panel with built-in speakers and 100Hz for under sixty quid. If you're setting up your very first desk and want the most screen for your money without any complexity, this is where to start.
The IPS panel means colours are accurate and viewing angles are wide. Sitting off to the side, the image doesn't shift or wash out. That matters for a beginner who might not have their monitor positioned perfectly. The eye-friendly screen with anti-flicker and low blue light mode is a sensible feature for long study sessions. Built-in speakers mean you don't need to budget for separate audio immediately.
The 100Hz refresh rate is a step up from the 75Hz you'd expect at this price, making everyday scrolling and light gaming noticeably smoother. The VGA input alongside HDMI means it'll connect to virtually any computer, old or new. The stand is tilt-only and the connectivity is modest, but at this price, those are entirely reasonable compromises. For anyone buying their very first monitor, the MSI PRO MP275 is the most sensible starting point in this entire roundup.
Pros
- Exceptional value at around £59
- 27-inch IPS panel with accurate colours
- Built-in speakers included
- 100Hz for smooth everyday use
- Eye-friendly features for long sessions
Cons
- Tilt-only stand
- HDMI 1.4b limits bandwidth at higher refresh rates
- No DisplayPort
- Speakers are basic quality
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Best Slim Design
Price: £75.00 | Rating: ★★★★½ (4.6)
Most budget monitors come in black. The Philips 241V8AW comes in white, and if your setup has a light or minimal aesthetic, that matters. It's a small thing, but it's the kind of detail that makes a desk feel considered rather than thrown together.
Beyond the colour, it's a straightforward 24-inch FHD monitor with built-in speakers, VGA, and HDMI. The 75Hz refresh rate is the main limitation here. It's perfectly fine for office work and general use, but if you game at all, you'll notice the difference compared to the 100Hz and 120Hz options in this roundup. The VA panel delivers decent contrast, which helps with movie watching.
For a beginner who wants a clean, white monitor with speakers for a home office or study setup, this is a solid choice. Just go in knowing that 75Hz is its ceiling, and you'll be happy with it.
Pros
- White finish stands out in the budget market
- Built-in speakers included
- Philips reliability and UK support
- 24-inch size is comfortable for 1080p
Cons
- 75Hz is the lowest refresh rate in this roundup
- No DisplayPort
- Not suited for gaming beyond casual use
Buy on Amazon£75.00
Best Under £50
Price: £54.95 | Rating: ★★★★½ (4.6)
Under £50 for a 1080p monitor with a frameless design. The AOC 22B2H is about as cheap as a decent starter screen gets in the UK right now, and it's not a disaster. Far from it. For a first monitor on the tightest possible budget, this is the one.
The VA panel gives it better contrast than you'd expect at this price, making it more enjoyable for watching content than a cheap TN panel would be. LowBlue Mode and Flicker Free are sensible inclusions for long study sessions. The frameless design looks cleaner than the price suggests. HDMI and VGA cover the connectivity basics.
The honest limitations: 75Hz is the ceiling, and 7ms response time is slow by modern standards. You'll notice ghosting in fast games. But for word processing, web browsing, video calls, and general student use, the AOC 22B2H does everything it needs to. It's not exciting. But at this price, it doesn't need to be. Among the best starter monitors under £100, this is the entry point that makes the category accessible to everyone.
Pros
- Genuinely affordable, often under £50
- VA panel with decent contrast for the price
- Frameless design looks cleaner than expected
- LowBlue and Flicker Free for eye comfort
- AOC brand reliability
Cons
- 75Hz is the lowest acceptable refresh rate
- 7ms response causes ghosting in fast games
- No built-in speakers
- Tilt-only stand
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