Best LCD monitor for Arcade Game Cabinet? Thinking about going old school with your gaming console or planning to build a DIY arcade cabinet. If you are then you have probably come to the right place. Here we will guide you to buy the monitor for your cabinet.
There are three different options from which you can choose your monitor. LCD, LED and CRT are the three options. If you really want to spice up things and old school is kind of your theme, then going with a CRT monitor is an option but the problem with a CRT monitor is that first of all they are very bulky and big, another problem is that their resolution is not great and usually they consume a lot of power. The other two options are way more suitable for this kind of DIY project. An LED or LCD monitor are compact in their size, they can also be found in different resolutions and a lot of other features.
8 Best Monitors for Arcade Game Cabinet
Building a new Arcade Cabinet or restoring one needs the most appropriate monitor in fact an LCD, LED, or a CRT Arcade monitor. You should configure the cabinet and then choose an Arcade screen from our top recommended monitors.
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Things to Consider while Buying a Monitor for Arcade Cabinet
Now let’s have a look at some of the things that you should keep in mind while picking a monitor. So you should keep the following in your mind.
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Resolution
In the market, you will come across monitors of different resolutions but you need to go with a monitor that has a resolution of at least 1080p. The preferred resolution for a gaming monitor is either 2K or 4K.
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Monitor size
The next thing to consider is the size of your monitor, in this case, monitor size is dependent on the size of the monitor cavity of your arcade cabinet. If you build the arcade cabinet, then keep the monitor cavity around 32 inches because that usually is supposed to be the sweet spot. Remember one thing more while considering a big monitor, consider the pixel density of that monitor, higher is better.
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Refresh rate
The refresh rate is also a curtail part of a good gaming monitor. If you get a monitor with a higher frame rate such a 90 Hz or 144 Hz, then you will easily observe extra smoothness in your gameplay. This extra smoothness or frames will help you in your gameplay, especially if you are a fan of playing battle royal games.
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Response time
Response time is like having batter network ping ass compared to others. Most of the gaming monitors that you will find in the market come with a response time of 5 MS but you can find monitors with a faster response time of 0.5 MS.
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Selecting a display panel
In total there are three display panels which are usually used by the manufacturers, they are called TN, IPS, and VA panels. The cheapest of them in TN but the problem with this panel is that it has very poor viewing angles. IPS and VA both are similar, the difference between them is that VA panels have a batter color spectrum.
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Other features
If you are buying a monitor for your PC, then the monitor should have free-sync or G-sync technology. This will reduce screen tearing and stuttering but usually monitors with these features are a bit expensive. Another thing to consider is that the monitor you are buying should have an HDMI port or a display port.
Keeping all these things in mind and researching for hours we have made a list of some of the best monitors in the market. So now let’s move towards it.
- See Monitors For BMPCC 4K Camera On-Camera monitors.
1. Acer K202HQL BD 20’’ Monitor
This monitor comes with a 19.5-inch-widescreen display which is a good choice for gaming. On the other hand, the TN panel is installed in this monitor with a resolution of 1600 x 900. The resolution of this display is not that good and usually, at least a 1080p panel is preferred for gaming. But this monitor comes in the budget category, that’s why Acer had cut down the price somewhere.
Another good thing about this display is that it comes with a response time of only 5 MS and a refresh rate of 60 HZ, this is very helpful especially for gamers. The contrast ratio of this monitor is 100 million: 1 which gives bright whites and darker blacks.
As far as weight is concerned it only weighs 4.74 pounds and the dimensions of this monitor are 18.24 x 7.52 x 14.26 inches which is most suitable for Arcade Cabinet. The provided stand with a monitor can give some wiggle room to adjust the monitor according to your comfort, it can be tilted from -5 to 25 degrees. The input ports available on this monitor are a DVI and a VGA port, to be honest using a DVI port is a better option. Unfortunately, only one color is available, this monitor and that is black.
This monitor is an outstanding option in its price category if you look at the customer review rating of this monitor. In most of the websites, it easily gets a 4.5 to 4.7 rating out of 5 so it clearly means that it is a pretty good option.
Q: Is HDMI supported?
No, Acer does not provide an HDMI port in this monitor.
Q: Can you accommodate VESA mounting?
Yes, 100mm x 100mm works perfectly.
Q: Is the stand removable?
Yes, you can remove it.
Q: Can we mount this monitor vertically?
Yes, you can but this monitor does not support portrait viewing mode.
Q: Does this monitor have a power cable included?
Yes, if you are buying it new then a power cable will be included in the box.
2. Asus VP228HE 21.5” Full HD
This monitor has a 20 inch LED panel with a resolution of 1920 x 1080. The display panel installed in this monitor provides crisp details and the colors it produces are just amazing. Another amazing feature provided by this monitor is that the response time of this monitor is only 1 MS which is a dream for a gamer.
On the other hand, some other features in this monitor are that it is packed with Asus eye care technology which will protect you from eye stress or headache after spending many hours on the computer. The refresh rate of this monitor is 60 Hz and the aspect ratio is 16:9 which is pretty standard in the world of budget-friendly monitors.
A stand is provided by Asus with this monitor with the help of which you can place your monitor on the table but you can also wall mount this monitor. As far as the weight of this monitor is concerned it only weighs 11.68 pounds and the dimensions of this monitor are 20.20 x 14.70 x 7.90 inches. The port selection of this monitor is also good, it has an HDMI and VGA input port and with this, it has built-in speakers.
This monitor also comes with built-in software that can be used to calculate FPS, alignment of the display, and run time of your monitor.
Though this monitor does not support a crazy high refresh rate or some other premium features, we have to realize that this monitor falls in the budget category. Still, it provides a 1080p panel with an amazing response time, and secondly, it has some amazing reviews on different platforms.
Q: Is this monitor reflective?
No, it has a matt display.
Q: Does it come with an HDMI cable?
Yes, it has an HDMI and a VGA cable included.
Q: How to turn on the blue light on this monitor?
The blue light will turn on automatically.
Q: What is the real refresh rate of this monitor?
60 Hz.
3. Sceptre 20" Ultra-Thin LED Monitor
Next on our list is a monitor from Sceptre. This monitor has an LED display panel with a resolution of 1600 x 900. You can get this monitor in three sizes, 20, 22, and 24 inches but as you go up in size the price will also increase. It may seem like that the resolution of this monitor is not that great, which to some extent is right but the crispness of this display will never make you feel that it is a low res display. On the other hand, this monitor provides a refresh rate of 75 Hz. Gaming on a75 Hz display looks way more smoother and enjoyable as compared to a 60 Hz display.
Another amazing thing about this display is that it has built-in speakers, so you do not need any external source for audio. Similarly, adaptive sync technology is also available. Adaptive sync can help you synchronize the refresh rate of your monitor with your graphics card and because of that, you won’t feel any screen tearing.
As far as weight is concerned it only weighs 4.43 pounds and the dimensions of this monitor are 18.35 x 7.17 x 13.58 inches. These dimensions clearly show that this monitor is very slim and you can easily adjust it to any arcade cabinet. This monitor has 2 HDMI ports and a VGA port for display input. The built-in stand can be used to place the monitor on a table and you can also wall-mount it.
Q: Can we connect an Xbox with this monitor?
Yes, you can, it has an HDMI port.
Q: How is the quality of built-in speakers?
If you are using them just for a conference call or office use, then they are good but they are not designed for gaming.
Q: Can directly connect a webcam to this monitor?
No, you cannot. You have to connect the webcam to your computer.
Q: Does this monitor support bi-volt?
Yes, 110-240 AC.
Q: Does this monitor include a wall mount in the box?
No, but you can buy one online. It supports a VESA mount 75mm x 75mm.
4. SAMSUNG 22’’ Flat LED Monitor
This monitor has a 21.8 inch IPS display panel with a resolution of 1920 x 1080. The display installed produces crisp and color-accurate images. As this monitor is made for entry-level gaming so it also has some gaming-centric features. This monitor has a refresh rate of 75 Hz which makes your gameplay smooth. Another amazing feature of this monitor is that it comes with inbuilt low latency of 5 MS. Considering the viewing angels it comes with an ultra-wide view angle of 178 / 178 degrees.
This monitor comes with some top-notch features. For the eye protection of their user Samsung adds Eye saver technology. Another feature in this monitor is that it comes with free sync which helps the user to reduce screen tearing. You also get a 1-year warranty from Samsung.
The dimensions of this monitor are 19.2 x 9.3 x 15.6 inches and it only weighs 8.28 pounds. On the other hand, the connectivity options on this monitor are also good. You get an HDMI and a D-sub port on the backside of this monitor. You can also mount this monitor on a wall by buying a 75 x 75 mm VESA mounting bracket.
Q: Does this monitor come with built-in speakers?
No, it does not come with built-in speakers.
Q: Does an HDMI cable include in the box?
Yes, all necessary cables are included.
Q: Can I connect my PlayStation?
Yes, you can.
Q: How much hertz this display has?
75 Hz.
Q: Can I adjust the height of this monitor?
No, you cannot.
5. ASUS VS207D-P 19.5" HD
This monitor has a slim and stylish design which looks very good when placed on the Arcade Cabinet. The panel installed in this monitor is a LED panel with a resolution of 1600x 900. Another amazing feature of this monitor is that it has a response time of 5 MS which makes your gameplay smooth and stutter less.
This monitor comes with a high contrast ratio of 80000000:1 which helps the user to experience good and deep colors. ASUS also provides its video intelligence technology which helps the user to have less strain on the eyes. The port selection on this monitor is very limited, it has a D-sub port and a power input port. As far as the weight of this monitor is concerned, it only weighs 5.7 pounds and the dimensions of this monitor are 7.28 x 14 x 18.43 inches.
Asus also provides a three-way rapid replacement warranty and 2-way shipping is also free. This monitor comes in various screen sizes 18.5, 19.5, 20, 21.5, 21.5 IPS, and 24.1 IPS. Furthermore, this monitor has a built-in stand which can be used to put the monitor on a table but you can also buy a separate mount for it to easily hook it to a wall.
Q: Do we have an HDMI port?
No, you do not get an HDMI port on this monitor.
Q: What is the true response time of this display?
The response time is varying between 5 and 6 MS.
Q: Will we get a VGA cable in the box?
Yes, a VGA cable is included in the box.
Q: Are there any built-in speakers on this monitor?
No, you do not get any built-in speakers.
Q: Does this monitor provide compatibility with a VESA mount?
Yes, you can install this monitor on a 75 x 75 mm VESA mount.
Q: What type of display panel is installed on this monitor?
An IPS display panel is installed on this monitor.
6. Acer K202HQL Abi 19.5" HD Monitor
Next on our list is a monitor from Acer. This monitor comes with a 19.5 inch TN panel with a resolution of 1366 x 768. Besides that, it also has a response time of only 5 MS and a pixel pitch of 0.317. Similarly, the brightness of this monitor is pretty good for indoor use, the brightness rate of this monitor is 200 cd/m. The 60 HZ refresh rate on the other is not great. Usually, the refresh rate is something that every gamer considers first while buying a monitor but in this monitor, you do not get a display panel with a higher refresh rate. But you have to consider that this is a budget monitor.
Some other features that his monitor provides are Acer vision care and comfy view. Acer vision helps the user to reduce eye strain and provide a feasible experience. Similarly, Acre comfy view is a technology that reduces glare on the display and produces accurate colors. Another amazing feature about this monitor is that it has a -5 to 25-degree tilt, with the help of which you can adjust the monitor to your comfort zone.
The port selection on this monitor is pretty standard with an HDMI port and a VGA port. On the other hand, it only weighs 5.51 pounds and the dimensions of this monitor are 18.24 x 7.54 x 14.26 inches. Unfortunately, it is only available in only one color and that is black.
Q: Can we mount this monitor on a VESA mount?
Yes, you can. 100mm x 100mm VESA mount is compatible with this product.
Q: Can we adjust the height of this monitor?
No, you cannot.
Q: Can we adjust the volume on this monitor?
Yes, you can but you have to use the provided remote. So keep that remote in your pocket.
Q: Can we use this monitory as a secondary monitor?
Yes, you can. You just have to connect it to your computer with an HDMI cable.
Q: Can I use this monitor for my security cameras?
Yes, you can.
7. Acer SB220Q BI 21.5 Inches Full HD
This Acer monitor for Arcade Cabinet has a widescreen 21.5 inch IPS display panel with a resolution of 1920 x 1080. On the other hand, it also has a refresh rate of 75 HZ. The most highlighted feature of this monitor is its ultra-thin design, this monitor is only 0.24 inches. Similarly, it also comes with an amazing response time of only 4 MS. The aspect ratio of this monitor is 16:9 and the brightness of this monitor is 250 nits.
As this monitor is designed for gamers that’s why Acer also included Radeon free sync for a better gaming experience and less screen tearing while playing games. The port selection of this monitor is also pretty standard with an HDMI and a VGA port on the backside of this monitor. Furthermore, this monitor weighs around 5.6 pounds and it is only available in black color.
Q: Can I attach this monitor to a dual-arm mounting system?
No, you cannot.
Q: Do we get an HDMI cable in the box?
Yes, this monitor comes with an HDMI cable and a VGA cable.
Q: Are there any built-in speakers on this monitor?
No, you do not get any built-in speakers but can attach speakers via a 3.5mm jack.
Q: Can you connect a console to this monitor?
Yes, you can via an HDMI cable.
Q: Is this monitor compatible with a VESA mount?
No, this monitor does not support a VESA mount.
Q: Can we use this monitor in portrait mode?
No, you cannot because it does not rotate.
8. View Sonic VX2257-MHD 22 Inch
The final product on our list is from ViewSonic. This monitor comes with a 1080p TN panel. For less image tearing and smooth gaming performance Sonic has also added Free sync. The response time of this monitor is 2 MS. On the other hand, this monitor has a blue light filter and an anti-glare display coating.
This monitor has a game mode that can help the user to experience better colors and it can also be customized to show FPS. The port selection of this monitor is also pretty good. It has an audio in, an audio output, an HDMI port, a display port, and a VGA port. Furthermore, this monitor only weighs 8 pounds and the dimensions of this monitor are 9.04 x 20.13 x 15.53 inches.
Q: Is VESA mount compatible with this monitor?
Yes, you can.
Q: Is there any coating on the display of this monitor?
Yes, and because of that, it is not reflective.
Q: Can we use this monitor with an Xbox?
Yes, you can use it with an Xbox.
Q: Can I adjust the height of this monitor?
No, you cannot.
Q: Do we get any built-in speakers with this monitor?
Yes, you get 2 stereo speakers built-in to this monitor.
Conlusion
Almost all the above-mentioned monitors are not that expensive. So if you want to get a monitor for your arcade cabinet, make a list of the features that you want in your monitor and then select the monitor based on that checklist.