On your quest to find the best tv monitor you’ll probably run across the Acer SB220Q bi. This budget-friendly monitor has a 21.5 inch full HD display, with a resolution of 1920 x 1080, and a refresh rate of 75hz, so it should be able to handle whatever your graphics card throws at it. Despite being ultra-thin & extremely light, this monitor still has both VGA & HDMI inputs! Its performance and versatility makes it one of the best monitors on the market.
Why We Like It – Acer SB220Q
The Acer SB220Q is an ultra-thin zero frame monitor offered at an affordable price point. It’s suitable for both casual usage and use as a gaming monitor, thanks to its 75hz refresh rate. The widescreen 1080p IPS panel should be enough to satisfy most bargain hunters!
- Ultra Thin
- 4ms Response Time
- AMD FreeSync Technology
- Doesn’t Include A HDMI Cable
- A Common Complaint Is Partial Or Complete Monitor Failure
- Lacks Integrated Speakers
Performance (Display/Resolution/Refresh)
The Acer SB220Q bi monitor offers an excellent display for the price. The screen has a resolution of 1920 x 1080p for a full HD experience, though the image quality is nowhere near 4K (if you want a high-quality 4K viewing experience, consider the LG SM9000 NanoCellTV). It has a refresh rate of 75hz, so while it’s not top-of-the-line, it should be sufficient for most users. The monitor uses Radeon free sync technology to prevent stuttering, providing a smooth viewing experience, and has a quick response time of 4ms.
Related: If you’re looking for a gaming monitor, then check out our Acer Predator XB321HK review.
Sound
Unlike the Sony X720E, which has (admittedly poor) built-in speakers, the SB220Q bi decided to forgo any speakers on this TV (if you’re looking for a TV with integrated speakers, check out the Samsung NU6900 55!). Unfortunately, this monitor also lacks a 3.5mm audio output jack (or any other form of audio output), so you are going to have to hook up speakers directly to your CPU. Depending on the location of your setup, this may present an issue, so plan accordingly!
Related: If you’re interested in an ultra-thin gaming monitor, then check out our Acer SB270 Bbix 27 review.
Smart Features
To be clear, the Acer SB220Q bi is just a budget monitor, not a high-end monitor or a smart TV, so you shouldn’t expect much out of it in terms of extra features. The best this monitor has to offer is Radeon free sync technology. This technology is designed to eliminate stuttering and poor visual performance by matching the refresh rate of the monitor to the frame rate of the graphics card. Still, with a response rate of 4ms, this IPS monitor is easily outperformed by expensive TN gaming monitors.
Ports & Expandability
Ports & Expandability
This monitor works with both HDMI & VGA inputs. It has a single input for both (though it’s important to note that the advertised 75hz refresh rate only applies to the HDMI connection, not the VGA). It does not have any output ports, so you can’t really expand on your setup using this monitor. It also lacks even an audio out port, forcing users to opt for a dedicated speaker setup hooked directly to their CPU rather than to the monitor.
Value
When money comes into play, the Acer SB220Q bi begins to shine. Despite its many shortcomings, it is created for people who are running a tight budget, so with that in mind, it’s a great purchase. At less than $95, this monitor is one of the most popular monitors on Amazon for a reason. If you live in the United States, Acer offers the standard free shipping and free returns. They also offer a 1-year warranty on the hardware & a 90-day warranty on the software of this device.
Acer SB220Q Wrap Up
Although the Acer SB220Q isn’t the best monitor out there in terms of performance, that doesn’t mean it’s not a great product. Created with consumers on a budget in mind, this monitor provides excellent performance considering the low price tag of $93.99, so if you’ve already spent thousands on your setup, then the Acer SB220Q could be the perfect affordable addition to complete your rig.
