Best Monitors Under $500 AUD in 2025

Choosing a monitor under $500 AUD used to mean serious compromises. Not anymore. The market in 2025 is absolutely stacked with panels that would have cost twice as much just a few years ago. Whether you’re after pin-sharp 4K for productivity, buttery-smooth high refresh rates for gaming, or a solid all-rounder, there’s something brilliant in this price bracket.

Let’s break down the best options by use case.

Best Overall: LG 27UP850N-W (~$449 AUD)

If we had to pick one monitor to recommend under $500, it’s the LG 27UP850N-W. The 27-inch 4K IPS panel delivers stunning clarity for work, the 95% DCI-P3 colour gamut makes it suitable for creative tasks, and the USB-C port with 96W power delivery means a single cable connection to your laptop. It’s the monitor that does everything well.

Who it’s for: Professionals, creatives, and anyone wanting a crisp all-rounder.

Best Budget Pick: AOC 24G2SP (~$199 AUD)

For less than $200, the AOC 24G2SP is almost unfairly good. A 24-inch IPS panel at 165Hz with decent colour accuracy and 1ms response time. It’s become the go-to recommendation in every budget build guide for a reason — it just delivers.

Who it’s for: Students, budget builders, and anyone who wants solid performance without the investment.

Best for USB-C Laptops: Dell S2722QC (~$399 AUD)

Dell’s 27-inch 4K with USB-C is a slightly more affordable alternative to the LG, trading a bit of colour accuracy for a lower price. It charges your laptop at 65W over USB-C and has built-in speakers that are actually passable for a monitor (which is saying something).

Who it’s for: Laptop users who want a clean, single-cable desk setup.

What to Look For

When shopping for monitors under $500, here’s what actually matters:

Resolution: At 27 inches, 4K (3840x2160) makes text noticeably crisper than 1440p. At 24 inches, 1080p is perfectly fine — don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Panel type: IPS gives you the best colour accuracy and viewing angles. VA gives deeper blacks but worse viewing angles. TN panels are cheap and fast but look rubbish from off-centre — avoid in 2025.

Refresh rate: 60Hz is fine for productivity. If you game at all, 144Hz+ makes a tangible difference. You won’t go back.

Connectivity: USB-C with power delivery is genuinely life-changing if you use a laptop. One cable for display, data, and charging.

Our Recommendation

For most people reading this site, the LG 27UP850N-W is the pick. It’s $449 that you won’t regret, and it’ll serve you well for 5+ years. If you’re on a tight budget, the AOC 24G2SP at $199 is honestly incredible value — pair it with a decent desk and keyboard and you’ve got a setup that looks and works great.

Don’t overthink monitors. Pick the right panel type and resolution for your use case, check the connectivity options, and move on. The best monitor is the one you stop thinking about because it just works.