Monitor prices range from $100 to $800 depending on screen size, resolution, and intended use

A basic monitor for everyday work or web browsing costs between $100 and $200. Mid-range monitors built for photo editing, gaming, or video work run $250 to $500. High-end professional monitors and large curved displays can exceed $600. The price you pay depends almost entirely on three things: the diagonal screen size in inches, the pixel resolution (how sharp the image is), and the refresh rate (how many times per second the screen updates).

Most people buying their first monitor or replacing an old one fall into the $150 to $300 range. That budget gets you a 24-inch or 27-inch screen with 1920×1080 or 2560×1440 resolution, which is sharp enough for documents, spreadsheets, video calls, and casual gaming. If you already have a monitor and are happy with it, there is no reason to spend more.

Key Takeaways

  • A 24-inch 1080p monitor for general use typically costs $120 to $180 and works well for most office and home tasks.
  • 27-inch monitors with 1440p resolution cost $200 to $350 and are worth the extra money if you spend eight hours a day looking at the screen.
  • Gaming monitors with 144Hz or higher refresh rates cost $250 to $500 and only matter if you play fast-action games.
  • Professional monitors for photo or video editing cost $400 to $800 and include color accuracy features most people do not need.
  • Curved and ultrawide monitors cost $300 to $700 and are a preference choice, not a performance necessity.

Budget monitors: $100 to $200

A monitor in this range has a 21.5-inch or 24-inch screen and 1920×1080 resolution. The refresh rate is usually 60Hz, which means the screen redraws 60 times per second — fast enough that you will not notice any flicker. These monitors work for email, web browsing, document editing, video calls, and watching video.

Brands at this price point include Dell (S2422HZ, P2423DE), LG (24UP550), ASUS (VA24EHE), and BenQ (EW2480). They are not fancy, but they are reliable. The trade-off is that the screen may not be as bright as a more expensive model, and the stand may not adjust as smoothly. If you plan to use the monitor for four hours a day or less, this tier is the right choice.

Mid-range monitors: $200 to $400

Monitors in this price band typically have a 27-inch screen and 2560×1440 resolution, or a 24-inch screen with 1920×1080 and a 144Hz refresh rate. The 27-inch 1440p option gives you sharper text and more screen space without making everything smaller. The 24-inch 144Hz option is built for gaming and fast-paced work where motion matters.

Common models include the Dell S2721DGF (27-inch, 1440p, 165Hz gaming), LG 27UP550 (27-inch, 1440p, professional color), and ASUS PA247CV (24-inch, 1080p, color-accurate). At this price, you also get better brightness, more color accuracy, and a stand that tilts, swivels, and adjusts height. If you spend six to ten hours a day at your desk, the extra screen real estate and image quality are worth the cost.

High-end monitors: $400 to $800

Monitors above $400 are usually built for a specific job: gaming at very high frame rates, professional photo editing, or video color grading. A gaming monitor at this price has a 27-inch or 32-inch screen with 1440p or 4K resolution and a 144Hz to 360Hz refresh rate. A professional monitor has factory-calibrated color accuracy and a wider color gamut (range of colors) than consumer models.

Examples include the ASUS ROG Swift (gaming, 27-inch, 1440p, 240Hz), BenQ SW240 (photo editing, 24-inch, 1920×1200, color-accurate), and Dell UltraSharp U2723DE (27-inch, 1440p, professional). These monitors are built to last and often come with a three-year warranty. Buy at this level only if your work depends on the monitor's specific feature — fast refresh for competitive gaming, or color accuracy for photo work.

Screen size and resolution: what the numbers mean

Screen size is measured diagonally in inches. A 24-inch monitor is common for single-monitor setups. A 27-inch monitor gives you about 40 percent more screen area and is popular for people who work with spreadsheets, code, or design software. A 32-inch monitor is large enough that you may need to move your head to see the corners, so it is usually paired with a higher resolution to keep text readable.

Resolution is the number of pixels (dots) on the screen, written as width × height. 1920×1080 (called 1080p or Full HD) is the standard for 24-inch monitors. 2560×1440 (called 1440p or QHD) is standard for 27-inch monitors and makes text and images noticeably sharper. 3840×2160 (called 4K or UHD) is sharp enough for video editing and photo work but requires a powerful graphics card and costs $500 or more. For most people, 1440p at 27 inches is the best balance of price and usability.

Refresh rate: why it matters for gaming, not for work

Refresh rate is how many times per second the monitor redraws the image, measured in Hertz (Hz). A 60Hz monitor refreshes 60 times per second. A 144Hz monitor refreshes 144 times per second. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother motion appears on screen — but only if your graphics card can send that many frames to the monitor.

For office work, video calls, and web browsing, 60Hz is plenty. For gaming, a 144Hz monitor makes fast-paced games feel smoother and can give you a slight edge in competitive play, but it costs $100 to $200 more than a 60Hz monitor of the same size and resolution. If you play games like Valorant, Counter-Strike, or Fortnite and your graphics card can produce 144 frames per second, a 144Hz monitor is worth buying. If you play slower games or do not game at all, save the money.

Panel type: IPS, VA, and TN

The panel type affects color accuracy, viewing angle, and response time (how fast pixels change color). IPS panels have the best color accuracy and widest viewing angles, which is why they are used in professional monitors and mid-range displays. VA panels have deeper blacks and higher contrast but narrower viewing angles. TN panels are fast and cheap but have poor color accuracy and narrow viewing angles.

For most people, an IPS panel is the best choice. It costs a little more than TN but the image quality is noticeably better. VA panels are a middle ground if you want deep blacks for movie watching. TN panels are only worth buying if you are a competitive gamer and need the fastest response time, which is rare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a curved monitor worth the extra cost?

Curved monitors cost $100 to $200 more than flat monitors of the same size and resolution. They can reduce eye strain if you sit very close to the screen, but the benefit is small for most people. Buy a curved monitor only if you prefer the look or if you use an ultrawide (very wide, short) screen, where the curve helps you see the edges without turning your head.

What is the difference between a monitor and a TV?

A monitor is built for close viewing and sharp text. A TV is built for distance viewing and bright images. If you use a TV as a monitor, text will look blurry and your eyes will tire faster. Use a monitor for computer work and a TV for watching video from across the room.

Do I need a monitor with USB ports or built-in speakers?

USB ports on a monitor let you plug in a keyboard or mouse through the monitor cable instead of directly into your computer, which reduces cable clutter. Built-in speakers are usually low quality and take up space inside the monitor. Neither feature is necessary. Buy them only if you specifically want them.

How long do monitors last?

Most monitors last seven to ten years before the backlight dims or the panel fails. Budget monitors may fail sooner; professional monitors often last longer. If your monitor still works, there is no reason to replace it just because a newer model is cheaper.

Should I buy a monitor online or in a store?

Online prices are usually lower, but you cannot see the monitor in person. Big-box retailers like Best Buy carry a limited selection but let you compare models side by side. If you know exactly which model you want, buy online. If you are unsure, visit a store to see the difference between 1080p and 1440p, or between IPS and VA panels.