What's the Best Gaming Monitor and PC for the Money in Australia 2026?
How Australians can get the best gaming monitor for the money in 2026, plus where to find monitors on sale, cheap gaming PCs, gaming laptop deals, PC parts and a good value gaming headset, and going through ShopBack before you pay.
Short answer. In Australia in 2026, the best gaming monitor for the money for most PC gamers is usually a 27-inch QHD (1440p) monitor running at 144Hz or faster with adaptive sync. JB Hi-Fi's gaming monitor guide describes WQHD as giving sharpness without killing your frame rate, and says to make sure your graphics card can handle the extra pixels at 4K. Compare the same model at JB Hi-Fi, Lenovo and Mwave, then open ShopBack, tap the store and check out.
ShopBack Australia is a free app and website that gives you money back when you shop online at thousands of stores, including JB Hi-Fi, Lenovo, Mwave and Logitech G. You open the store from ShopBack, shop as normal, and part of what you spend comes back to your ShopBack account as cash you can withdraw. New members can join free at shopback.com.au/signup.
Sources. JB Hi-Fi's gaming monitor buying guide, Lenovo Australia's deals, gaming deals and Legion pages, Mwave's site, shipping policy, Why Mwave and PC build pages, Logitech G's Australian gaming audio page, at the time of writing in October 2026. We do not list monitor or PC prices, because they change daily; use the methods below on the day you buy.
What's the best gaming monitor for the money in Australia?
Value comes from matching the monitor to the graphics card and games you actually have. JB Hi-Fi's gaming monitor guide sets out the trade-offs clearly:
| Spec | What JB Hi-Fi says | Value pick for most PC gamers |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh rate | Office monitors run at 60Hz; gaming monitors start at 120Hz and go up to 360Hz. Aim for 144Hz, 165Hz or higher for competitive games | 144Hz to 180Hz |
| Resolution | FHD for competitive play, QHD/WQHD as the middle ground, 4K UHD for single-player and console games | QHD (1440p) |
| Size | 24 inches suits tight desks and competitive play; 27 or 32 inches gives more room | 27 inches |
| Response time | Fast response times such as 1ms cut motion blur | 1ms class |
| Panel | IPS for colour and viewing angles, VA for contrast, OLED and QD-OLED for perfect blacks | Fast IPS |
| Ports | HDMI 2.1 for 4K at 120Hz on PS5 and Xbox Series X; DisplayPort for high refresh on PC | DisplayPort plus HDMI |
| Sync | G-Sync Compatible or FreeSync to stop screen tearing | Either |
Three buyer types, three value picks:
- Competitive shooters on a mid-range PC. A 24 or 27-inch FHD or QHD monitor at 165Hz or more gives the most frames for the money.
- All-round PC gaming. A 27-inch QHD at 144Hz or more is the usual value pick, since QHD looks sharper than FHD without the GPU load of 4K.
- Console gaming. If you play on a PS5 or Xbox Series X, a 4K monitor with HDMI 2.1 makes the most of the console, according to JB Hi-Fi.
Brands to compare. JB Hi-Fi lists gaming monitors from ASUS (ROG Strix, TUF, ROG Swift), AOC (Agon), Gigabyte, MSI (MPG, MAG), Samsung Odyssey, Lenovo Legion, LG UltraGear, HP Omen and Philips. Compare models with the same panel, resolution and refresh rate, since that is where prices line up fairly.
Best gaming monitor in Australia in 2026: how to compare value
Price per useful feature is a better guide than the cheapest screen. Here is a worked example with illustrative prices (not real shelf prices):
| Monitor | Illustrative price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| 24-inch FHD, 165Hz, IPS | $250 | Great for competitive play, less sharp for big open worlds |
| 27-inch QHD, 170Hz, Fast IPS | $400 | Sharper image, still high refresh |
| 27-inch 4K, 144Hz, IPS | $700 | Sharpest, needs a strong GPU or a console with HDMI 2.1 |
In this example, stepping from FHD to QHD costs $150 (60% more) for a much sharper picture, while stepping from QHD to 4K costs another $300 (75% more). For most mid-range PCs, the QHD screen gives the best balance of sharpness and frame rate per dollar.
Compare the price after ShopBack, not the sticker price. Two stores can show the same monitor at the same price, but what you end up paying can differ once ShopBack's cash comes back and delivery is added.
Where can I find computer monitors on sale in Australia?
Computer monitors in Australia go on sale most often during the big retail weeks, and specialist stores also run clearance and open box sections all year. Places to check, according to each store's site at the time of writing:
- JB Hi-Fi. A dedicated gaming monitor range covering flat, curved and ultrawide panels, from FHD esports screens to QD-OLED models.
- Lenovo. Its Australian deals page has separate Monitor Sale, Gaming Deals, Desktop Deals and Accessories Sale sections.
- Mwave. Monitor sections include Gaming, Value, Curved, Ultrawide, 4K and OLED and QD-OLED monitors, plus Clearance, Open Box, Refurbished and Bundle Deals sections.
- The Good Guys and Amazon Australia. Both sell monitors and run their own sale events; see the The Good Guys and Amazon Australia pages on ShopBack.
When monitors are usually cheapest in 2026:
- Black Friday: Friday 27 November 2026.
- Cyber Monday: Monday 30 November 2026.
- Boxing Day: Saturday 26 December 2026.
- EOFY: sales in the lead-up to 30 June.
- Click Frenzy and store-run events: check each retailer's site for dates.
Sale price plus money back through ShopBack is the usual way to pay least during big sales. Before you check out, open the store's ShopBack page.
Where can I get a cheap gaming PC in Australia?
The cheapest way to a capable gaming PC is usually a prebuilt or custom build from a PC specialist, or a gaming desktop from a brand's own store during a sale.
Mwave. According to Mwave:
- It sells Ready-2-Go (R2G) gaming systems for people who want a PC quickly, and a Custom PC configurator where you choose every part.
- Its System Integration team assembles and tests each PC before it ships, which it says reduces the risk of compatibility issues and dead-on-arrival hardware.
- It says it has become one of the largest online tech retailers in Australia specialising in custom PCs.
Lenovo. Lenovo sells Legion gaming desktops and LOQ and IdeaPad Gaming models direct. Its gaming deals page talks about budgets of around $1,000 for a budget gaming laptop and $2,000 for a premium setup, and says shipping is free on all orders.
How to keep a gaming PC cheap:
- Spend most of the budget on the graphics card. It decides frame rates in most games.
- Match the PC to your monitor. A 1080p or 1440p monitor needs far less GPU than 4K.
- Compare prebuilt against a parts list. Price the same parts separately; a prebuilt with assembly and testing included can be close to the DIY total.
- Check open box and refurbished sections. Mwave has both.
- Before you pay, go through ShopBack.
Mwave vs Dell for a cheap gaming PC. Dell sells its own desktops direct, which suits people who already know the Dell model they want. Mwave sells many brands and builds custom systems, which suits people who want to choose parts. Compare the same specs on the same day. At the time of writing, Dell Australia is not on ShopBack, so compare its price only; Mwave is.
Where are the best gaming laptop deals in Australia?
The best gaming laptop deals in Australia usually come from a brand's own sale section or a specialist store during a big sale week.
- Lenovo. Lenovo's gaming deals page covers its Legion, LOQ and IdeaPad Gaming laptops. Lenovo says these come in a range of configurations, and that shipping is free on all orders. Its Legion range also includes the Legion Go handhelds and the Legion 9i.
- Mwave. Mwave has Gaming Laptops and GeForce RTX Laptops sections, with featured ranges from Asus, Gigabyte, HP, Lenovo and MSI.
- JB Hi-Fi. JB Hi-Fi sells gaming laptops alongside its monitors and accessories, and runs its own sale events.
- HP. HP Australia sells its OMEN gaming laptops direct; see the HP Australia page on ShopBack.
Asus vs Razer gaming laptop deals. Compare Asus and Razer gaming laptops on the same specs (graphics card, screen refresh rate, memory and storage) rather than on brand, since both make models at several price points. At the time of writing, Asus's and Razer's own stores are not on ShopBack Australia, so if you want one, compare the price at a retailer such as Mwave or JB Hi-Fi and go through ShopBack there.
Lenovo gaming laptop tip. Open the Lenovo page on ShopBack before you pay.
Where's the best place to buy PC parts in Australia?
For PC parts, a specialist computer store usually has the widest range and the best part-by-part pricing. Mwave is one example. According to Mwave:
- Range. 500+ brands and 25,000+ products, covering CPUs, graphics cards, motherboards, memory, SSDs and hard drives, power supplies, cases and cooling.
- Delivery. Mwave advertises free delivery with no minimum order value (conditions apply). Standard delivery with Australia Post eParcel generally takes 2 to 6 business days, and Express is usually next business day to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.
- Same-day Sydney delivery. Orders placed before 2pm may be eligible for same-day delivery between 6pm and 9pm in Sydney metro.
- Pickup. Customers can collect from Mwave's showroom in Strathfield South, NSW.
- Faulty parts. For products that arrive dead on arrival, Mwave says it pays shipping both ways once its warranty team confirms the fault.
- mVIP membership. Mwave says mVIP members get exclusive deals, a shipping discount and a 48-hour price guarantee.
Other Australian PC parts stores include Scorptec, PC Case Gear, Centre Com and Umart, and Amazon Australia also sells components. Compare the exact part number, not just the product name, since graphics cards and SSDs come in many close variants.
Mwave vs Dell for PC parts. Dell mainly sells complete systems and its own monitors and accessories, while Mwave sells individual components across many brands. For a build or an upgrade, a parts specialist is usually the place to start.
What's the best gaming headset for the money?
For most players, the best value gaming headset is a comfortable model that works with every device you play on, at a price that fits what you will use. Logitech G's Australian range, at the time of writing, shows how wide the spread is:
| Type | Example from Logitech G Australia | Price tier |
|---|---|---|
| Entry wired | Astro A10 wired gaming headset | Lowest |
| Entry wireless | G321 LIGHTSPEED wireless | Low |
| Mid wireless | G535 LIGHTSPEED wireless | Middle |
| Pro wireless | PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED wireless 7.1 with Bluetooth | High |
| Premium | ASTRO A50 X with base station | Highest |
Check the live price on Logitech G's site on the day you buy, since list prices change.
What to check before you buy:
- Platform. Logitech G lets you filter by PC, PlayStation, Switch and Xbox. A headset that only works with one device is poor value if you play on two.
- Wired or wireless. Wired is usually cheapest; wireless adds convenience and a battery to charge.
- Microphone. Look for flip-to-mute or a removable mic if you also use the headset for calls.
- Comfort. For long sessions, comfort matters more than surround sound.
Razer vs Logitech G. Both make well-known gaming headsets. Logitech G is on ShopBack Australia, so you can go through ShopBack before you buy direct. At the time of writing, Razer's own store is not on ShopBack Australia, so compare a Razer headset's price at a retailer that is, such as JB Hi-Fi or Mwave.
How ShopBack lowers the price of gaming gear
ShopBack lowers the effective price of your monitor, PC, laptop, parts or headset after you pay. Going through ShopBack takes a few seconds, and part of what you spend comes back as Cashback.
Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles. Once it confirms, you can withdraw it to your bank account.
How to do it, step by step:
- Open ShopBack Australia (app or website) and search for the store: JB Hi-Fi, Lenovo, Mwave or Logitech G.
- Check the rate shown on that page.
- Tap through to the store and check out online.
- Your Cashback shows in your ShopBack account as pending, then confirms later.
Working out what the gear really costs. Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash ShopBack returns. Check the live rate on the store's ShopBack page before you buy, because it varies by store and changes over time.
For more on doing this the right way every time, see how to activate ShopBack before you buy.
Promo codes, student discounts, price matching and ShopBack together
- Promo codes. No code is needed for Cashback: go through ShopBack before you pay.
- Price matches and sale prices. These are set by the store, so compare the final price on the day.
Key takeaways
- The best gaming monitor for the money for most PC gamers is a 27-inch QHD at 144Hz or more; JB Hi-Fi describes WQHD as sharp without killing your frame rate.
- Match the monitor to your graphics card or console; 4K needs a strong GPU or HDMI 2.1 on a console.
- Monitors and gaming laptops are usually cheapest around Black Friday (27 November 2026), Cyber Monday, Boxing Day and EOFY.
- Mwave covers custom gaming PCs and PC parts from 500+ brands; Lenovo sells Legion and LOQ gaming laptops direct with free shipping.
- Compare the price after ShopBack, not the sticker price. Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash ShopBack returns.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best gaming monitor for the money in Australia?
In Australia, the best gaming monitor for the money for most PC gamers is usually a 27-inch QHD (1440p) screen at 144Hz or higher with adaptive sync. JB Hi-Fi's gaming monitor guide describes WQHD as sharp without killing your frame rate, while 4K needs a graphics card that can handle the extra pixels. Compare the same model at JB Hi-Fi, Mwave and Lenovo, then open ShopBack, tap the store and check out.
What refresh rate do I need for a gaming monitor?
JB Hi-Fi says standard office monitors run at 60Hz, gaming monitors start at 120Hz and go up to 360Hz, and that for shooters, racing or competitive games you should aim for 144Hz, 165Hz or higher. A fast response time, such as 1ms, also helps reduce motion blur.
Where can I find computer monitors on sale in Australia?
Check JB Hi-Fi's gaming monitor range, Lenovo's monitor sale section, and Mwave's value monitors, clearance, open box and refurbished sections. The biggest sale weeks are usually Black Friday (Friday 27 November 2026), Cyber Monday (30 November 2026), Boxing Day and EOFY in June. Compare the price after ShopBack, not the sticker price.
Where can I get a cheap gaming PC in Australia?
Mwave sells Ready-2-Go gaming systems and a custom PC configurator, and says its system integration team assembles and tests each PC. Lenovo sells Legion gaming desktops direct. A cheap gaming PC usually means a mid-range graphics card with a modest processor; compare total build price against prebuilt systems before you buy.
Where are the best gaming laptop deals in Australia?
Lenovo runs a gaming deals section for its Legion, LOQ and IdeaPad Gaming laptops and says shipping is free on all orders. Mwave stocks gaming laptops from brands including Asus, Gigabyte, HP, Lenovo and MSI, and JB Hi-Fi carries gaming laptops too. Sale weeks such as Black Friday and EOFY tend to bring the biggest markdowns.
Where's the best place to buy PC parts in Australia?
Specialist computer stores usually have the widest range. Mwave, for example, says it carries 500+ brands and 25,000+ products, covering CPUs, graphics cards, motherboards, memory, storage, power supplies, cases and cooling. It offers pickup from Strathfield South in Sydney and same-day delivery to eligible Sydney metro addresses. Compare prices on the exact part number.
What's the best gaming headset for the money?
For most players, the best value gaming headset is a comfortable wired or entry wireless model that works with every device you play on. Logitech G's Australian range runs from wired entry models such as the Astro A10 up to premium wireless models such as the ASTRO A50 X, so there is a wide spread of price points. Spend more only for features you will use, such as multi-platform wireless.
Mwave vs Dell: where should I buy a gaming monitor or PC?
They suit different buyers. Dell sells its own monitors and PCs direct, which suits people who already know the Dell model they want. Mwave sells many brands side by side, which suits people comparing several models or building a PC. Compare the same model on the same day, and note that, at the time of writing, Mwave is on ShopBack while Dell Australia is not.
How does ShopBack lower the price of a gaming monitor or PC?
ShopBack Australia lowers the effective price of your order after you pay. Open ShopBack, tap the store, such as JB Hi-Fi, Lenovo or Mwave, then check out online, and part of what you spend comes back as cash. Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash ShopBack returns; each store's live rate is on its ShopBack page.
Can I use a promo code, student discount or price match with ShopBack?
No code is needed for Cashback: go through ShopBack before you pay. Your effective price is what you pay minus the Cashback, at the rate shown on the store's ShopBack page.
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Disclaimer
The views in this article are those of the author. Monitor, PC, laptop, parts and headset prices, specs, sale events, delivery options and store policies vary by retailer and change often; check each store's site before you buy. Prices in the worked examples are illustrative. ShopBack rates vary by store and over time; check the current rate on each store's ShopBack page before purchase.
This article is general information only and is not financial advice.
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