Acer SB220Q bi Review: Budget Gaming Monitor
Searching the market or online platforms for the best gaming monitor under $100? Those needing a monitor with an IPS screen, Full HD resolution, and AMD FreeSync up to 75Hz need to go no further than the Acer SB220Q. The monitor has extra special gaming capabilities and a sleek design with ultra-narrow bezels. Nothing beyond $100! The ‘Acer SB220Q bi’ monitor is another common name for this display.
Acer SB220Q bi 21.5-inch Budget 1080p IPS FreeSync Gaming Monitor
So that our professional reviewer could give the Acer SB220Q bi 21.5-inch Full HD IPS Monitor a complete once over, we invested in one. To get the complete lowdown on this product, please keep reading.Finding a good gaming monitor at a reasonable price might be challenging today.
Of course, there is no shortage of high-end RGB gaming monitors with features like rapid refresh rates, low reaction times, and massive display sizes, but what if you’re on a strict budget?
This is where the Acer SB220Q bi 21.5-inch Full HD IPS Monitor comes in; it’s a bargain at around $100 and has many great features for gamers. Before you rush out and buy the SB220Q, read our complete review below to learn about its advantages and disadvantages.
Specs
- Connectivity Options: 1 HDMI, 1 VGA
- Platform: Any
- Ports: None
- Product Brand: Acer
- Product Dimensions: 15.12 x 19.61 x 8.35 in.
- Product Name: SB220Q bi 21.5-inch 1080p Monitor
- Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Screen Size: 21.5-inch
- Speakers: None
- UPC: 191114583685
- Warranty: 3-year limited
Design and Features
The SB220Q is an incredibly thin display right out of the box. This screen is tiny, measuring less than an inch. The whole thing weighs five and a half pounds, making it quite portable.
Acer’s “Zero Frame” design means the screen’s borders are slim. The bezel’s thickness is not nearly zero, but it’s probably no more than a few sheets of paper. When used, the screen looks great and extends almost to the edges.
A little protrusion sits behind the device’s HDMI, VGA, and power inputs. In their normal position in the lower right corner of the display, the controls use the standard multi-button structure for navigating the options panel. They aren’t as user-friendly as a joystick, but they work well. A thick, circular base plate with the same glossy black surface as the rest of the screen serves as the monitor’s foundation.
A few sheets of paper might be able to fit inside the bezel, which means it’s not nearly zero. Because it creates an almost edge-to-edge display, it looks great when in use.
Now, however, we must discuss certain drawbacks. Most complaints concern the SB220Q’s sparse feature set, which is understandable given the monitor’s low price and the space savings required to make Acer’s thin and light design a reality.
The lack of a DisplayPort connection is a major drawback of this screen. While some people may be OK with an HDMI connection, our preference is to take advantage of DP whenever feasible for gaming.
However, the HDMI should be acceptable given that the resolution is just 1080p (Full HD) and the frame rate is capped at 75Hz (ensure you have the option to use HDMI with your graphics card).
In addition, the monitor’s power source is external rather than built-in, which reduces its footprint. The monitor’s poor ergonomics are another major drawback.
Some people want to set the screen in front of them and never move it, but good luck trying to change its position. You’re trapped with the SB220Q’s default base and stand because of its limited tilt range and the absence of VESA mounts.
Setup Process: Plug it in, plug it in
The SB220Q’s setup process is as straightforward as any modern display. We will discuss the required connections for PC or console use, while the specifics of your setup may differ. Before you start using the screen, make sure you read this section and turn on the appropriate settings.
Initially, you should unpack everything, remove the protective film, and plug in the power brick. Next, decide whether to use the video graphics array (VGA) or high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) for input (we recommend HDMI plugged directly into your graphics card). At this point, you can turn on the screen and the computer.
From here, you may adjust the display’s settings to maximize your new monitor’s potential after automatically detecting the input from your computer. The SB220Q’s FreeSync and 75Hz refresh rate are two characteristics you’ll want to check for optimum operation.
Some people want to set the screen in front of them and never move it, but good luck trying to change its position.
With the monitor set up and the desktop shown, you can either right-click and select “Display Settings” or go to the Start menu and locate the appropriate option. The proper resolution and refresh rate may be verified by going to “Advanced Display Settings” and scrolling down to that section (1920×1080 and 75Hz for reference).
Finally, if your GPU is capable, you should turn on FreeSync. This parameter may be accessed through the display’s configuration options. If FreeSync isn’t already enabled, go to the “Gaming” menu and toggle it on.
The monitor’s HDMI port is required for usage with a game console, but other than that, the configuration is identical. Connect everything, turn the console, and access the visual and audio menus. Make sure the screen’s resolution and refresh rate are set properly here.
Modern consoles probably do this automatically, but double-checking is still a good idea. Unfortunately, HDR is not supported by this display. Thus you’ll need to disable it. A quick test on your console should reveal this, but to be sure, double-check that the display’s settings are set to 1920×1080 at 75 Hz with FreeSync enabled.
Image Quality: A capable FHD display
For the cost, the picture quality is above average. If upgrading from a TN panel, the IPS screen’s superior visual quality will immediately stand out to you due to its increased brightness. You may anticipate the usual 16.7 million colors from a panel like the SB220Q.
The IPS display makes for better viewing angles than a TN one would expect, which is helpful given the lack of ergonomic adjustments to the stand. That’s right, and you can do your thing without being glued to your seat in front of the screen.
Backlight bleed is a common problem with IPS screens, and our SB220Q wasn’t an exception. The leakage at the screen’s edges isn’t terrible, but it is evident. You may always request a replacement or refund through an RMA if yours is significantly defective.
The average panel brightness is average for the price range and not very impressive. With a 250cd/m2, it is bright enough to do the job for most people but may struggle in sunny settings.
The 1080p Full HD resolution appears great on this display because of the screen’s compact size. The PPI is to blame for this (pixels per inch). Most people who don’t display enthusiasts won’t notice a difference in visual quality between this and a 2K or 4K display when seen from the optimal viewing distance (approximately 2 to 3 feet).
This panel’s brightness is average for its price range rather than exceptional. With a 250cd/m2, it is bright enough to do the job for most people but may struggle in sunny settings. Furthermore, the contrast ratio of 1000:1 is not ordinary for such images.
A quick word on color accuracy: it’s fine for a low-end monitor, but you shouldn’t rely on it for serious work. You may make some minor adjustments in the settings menu, but we advise searching for a suitable preset profile online for the best results.
Performance: Hard to beat for the price
We put the display through its paces by playing video games on consoles and PCs, watching movies, and performing light work. In particular, we played various PC and console games, including For Honor, God of War, and Battlefield V, on display to ensure their compatibility.
Our setup was a bit excessive for this panel, but if you have a more budget-friendly PC, the results should be respectable, given you’re only looking at a maximum of FHD at 75Hz.
When playing on a PC with FreeSync enabled, the frame rate remained stable at 60–75 fps (frames per second) with no discernible tearing. Some screen tearing may occur if this option is disabled. However, FreeSync is included for a purpose.
The screen also functioned admirably on the console, maintaining frame rates within the FreeSync sweet spot of 48-75. The IPS panel helps the colors pop, but the resolution falls short of 2K or 4K. A reaction time of 4ms is respectable for the SB220Q, but it won’t cut it if you want to play at the highest levels of competition.
This is adequate for almost any game, including first-person shooters, and should cause no problems. Light entertainment also looks nice on this screen, but the 75Hz rating won’t matter since services like Netflix and YouTube don’t support it. However, everything is quite legible, and there is very little ghosting.
Software: Gamer-oriented options
The SB220Q is a budget-friendly display, so it doesn’t include many bells and whistles in the way of additional software, but a handful is worth mentioning. Adjusting the monitor’s settings is as simple as using the on-screen menu to change the brightness or contrast, but there are other, more secret options that might offer you a competitive advantage in games.
The SB220Q has several nice features, but it also has some efficient ways of saving money.
This feature, known as “Aim Point,” allows you to superimpose a reticule on your screen for improved aim in shooters. We tried it out for a bit and found it gimmicky, but it’s there if you need it.
Price: Good features/performance for under $100
Acer’s cost-cutting effort with the SB220Q helps make this panel affordable since comparable displays often cost $200-$300 or more. If you do internet window shopping, you may find the screen for roughly $80 to $90. (it likely goes for even less if you can snag it on sale). Because of this, it’s perhaps the greatest budget gaming monitor available.
The SB220Q may be ideal for you if its features and specifications meet your requirements, even though it lacks certain convenient features such as VESA compatibility and DisplayPort inputs. Because of their low cost, these monitors are also a good choice for setting up a network of monitors (although you’ll need more than one VGA or HDMI connector and the included stand).
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PROS and CONS
Pros
Cons
Conclusion
The ultimate budget gaming monitor.
This IPS panel-type monitor can improve one’s viewing experience with a greater resolution for less than a hundred bucks. When it comes to first-person shooter games, you may profit from the fast response rate and improve your reaction time. In addition, the zero frame design eliminates distracting borders, making the entire screen available for your content.
The Acer SB220Q bi is an excellent 1080p gaming monitor at a reasonable price. It might be the finest choice for a low-end budget gaming monitor if you don’t want to upgrade to 2K or 4K and don’t need more than 75Hz.