Best Starter Monitors Under £100

1. KOORUI E2212H 22 Inch FHD Monitor, Gaming 120Hz, VA Computer Monitors, 1080P Pc Screen, Adaptive Sync, 5ms, VESA 100x100mm, Eye Care, HDMI, VGA

Rating: ★★★★½ (4.9)

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.

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2. AOC Gaming C32G2ZE - 32 Inch FHD Curved Monitor, 240Hz, 1 ms MPRT, VA AMD FreeSync Premium, Low Input Lag (1920x1080@ 240Hz, 300 cd/m², HDMI/DP)

Rating: ★★★★½ (4.7)

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.

3. BenQ GW2490E 24 Inch Eye-care Gaming Monitor, 100Hz, 1920x1080p, IPS, 2X HDMI, DisplayPort, Built-in Speakers, Wall Mount, Adaptive Brightness, Thin Bezel

Rating: ★★★★½ (4.6)

BenQ has a reputation for building monitors that feel more expensive than they are, and the GW2490E continues that tradition. Pick this up and the first thing you notice is how solid it feels. The stand doesn't wobble. The plastics don't creak. For a starter monitor, that physical confidence matters more than people give it credit for.

The IPS panel delivers accurate, consistent colours with wide viewing angles. Adaptive brightness is a genuinely useful feature, adjusting the screen's backlight based on ambient light conditions. It sounds gimmicky but it actually reduces eye strain during long sessions, which is exactly what BenQ's eye-care branding promises. Two HDMI ports plus DisplayPort gives you flexibility for connecting multiple devices, useful if you're running a console and a PC from the same screen.

Built-in speakers and wall mount support round out a thoughtful package. The 100Hz refresh rate is solid for general use and light gaming. It's not going to compete with the 180Hz or 280Hz options in this roundup for serious gaming, but for a starter who wants a reliable, well-built screen that handles everything from work to casual gaming, the GW2490E is a proper decent choice.

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4. Amazon Basics 23.8-inch Computer Monitor 120 Hz, FHD 1080P, HDMI, DP, VGA, VESA Compatible for Office,Home, Black

Price: £89.26 | Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5)

Amazon's own-brand monitor is exactly what you'd expect: no fuss, no frills, just a screen that works. But 120Hz at this price point is a genuine surprise. Most monitors at this level cap at 75Hz, so the Amazon Basics offering punches above its weight on the refresh rate front.

Three inputs (HDMI, DisplayPort, and VGA) give you flexibility for connecting older and newer devices alike. VESA compatibility means you can mount it on an arm or wall bracket. The 23.8-inch size is a comfortable middle ground, not too small for productivity, not so large that 1080p looks soft. For a starter who just needs a reliable screen for work, studying, or general use, this does the job without any drama.

The honest caveat is that Amazon Basics monitors don't have the same brand support infrastructure as Philips, BenQ, or AOC. If something goes wrong, the warranty process might be less straightforward. But for the price, it's a solid, no-nonsense starter screen that covers the basics well.

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5. MSI PRO MP275 27 Inch Full HD Office Monitor - 1920 x 1080 IPS Panel, 100 Hz, Eye-Friendly Screen, Built-in Speakers, Tilt-Adjustable - HDMI 1.4b, D-Sub (VGA)

Rating: ★★★★½ (4.6)

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.

6. AOC 22B2H - 22 inch FHD Monitor, 75Hz, VA, 7ms Frameless design, Tilt, lowBlue Mode, Flicker Free (1920 x 1080 @ 75Hz, HDMI/VGA)

Price: £69.97 | 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.

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