The holidays are finally over, and the time has come to follow through with your New Year’s resolutions and change your life for the better. More time in the gym, finding a partner, getting that raise, grabbing a high-quality gaming monitor… so why not start from the most important one first?
When it comes to choosing the ideal size, 24 inches seems like the most sensible choice: neither too big nor too small, reasonably hardware demanding and reasonably priced, and yet packing enough punch to sweeten that gaming pot just right. To start off your year just right, we’ve prepared a few of our top picks in this category that we believe will scratch that gaming itch!
Best 24-inch Monitor for Gaming
What follows next is a list of the best 24-inch monitors for gaming sorted and categorized according to their specs, price tags, and performance in general. Since the holiday season is upon us, we’ve even included an extra monitor for our dear console peasa… I mean friends. Let’s begin!
We kick off our list with our absolute favorite: the almighty Asus VG248QG! Though relatively fresh on the market, the VG248QG has already managed to build a reputation for being an affordable mid-range high-performance display that offers surprisingly impressive specs for its price, thereby challenging even its more costly peers.
In terms of design and aesthetics, the VG248QG is certainly among the better standing monitors available on sale. The thin black bezels surrounding the display take up barely any space and contribute to a high immersion factor, which is especially helpful when playing high-intensity multiplayer shooters.
Every pixel counts!
Asus VG248QG Review
Speaking of pixels, the PPI ratio of 91 yields an impressively sharp image quality, which comes as no surprise being that 1080p resolutions represent the 24-inch ‘sweet spot’ concerning pixel density.
Compared to its larger cousin, the 27-inch Asus VG278QR, the VG248QG trades a couple of inches (three, to be precise) for a significant boost in picture sharpness, and that is a compromise behind which we’ll stand gladly.
The inch trimming, however, doesn’t change the fact that we’re dealing with a TN panel monitor, meaning slightly more bleak colors and inferior viewing angles in contrast to its VA or IPS counterparts.
A meager contrast ratio of 1000:1 and an unimpressive 6-bit color depth leave a lot to be desired, making the VG248QG a subpar choice for passionate cinephiles or anyone looking to use it for more color-sensitive work.
Fortunately, its sturdy yet accommodating mount allows for ±90 degrees of pivot and swivel, together with a -5 to 33 degrees of tilt, thus somewhat mitigating the problem of poor viewing angles. As long as you sit dead center, your vision will not be compromised.
Asus VG248QG Gaming Performance
In all fairness, movie watching and office work weren’t exactly high on Asus’ priority list when creating this display. This rapscallion is all about one thing: gaming. What it lacks in color intensity and angular visibility, the V248QG more than makes up in sheer gaming performance.
Thanks to its 40-165Hz refresh rate range and a minimum 1ms response time (3ms on average), this monitor is definitely no slouch and can deliver great pixel transition with no noticeable signs of screen tearing whatsoever. This feature will be welcomed by those intending to put some GPU-intensive titles to the test (looking at you, RDR2).
Asus VG248QG: What’s Included?
To ensure silky-smooth gaming, the Asus V248QG is outfitted with GameFast, a technology that maximizes resource usage and puts any running background processes to a halt, thereby reducing input lag and making sure the monitor channels your GPU’s power more efficiently.
The experience can be further enhanced by turning on Asus ELMB (Extremely Low Motion Blur), a technology that removes any remaining traces of image smearing through the use of backlight strobing. If you’re willing to dial your maximum refresh rate down to 120 Hz, that is.
Asus VG248QG Final Verdict
All things considered, is the Asus VG248QG considered a worthy investment? Yes, yes, and yes! Despite its minute drawbacks stemming from its usage of a TN panel, this display delivers where it counts the most.
If you’re on the lookout for a reasonably priced 1080p 165 Hz display, then we’re happy to report that your search is over. Paired up with a powerful graphics card and a quality gaming CPU, the only thing stopping you from ranking up in Dota or League of Legends would be yourself and your incompetent teammates. Money can’t buy everything, I’m afraid…
Connection Ports: 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 2x USB 3.0, 1x Headphone Jack
Weight: 13.2 lbs
Display Type: LED-Lit
Panel Type: TN
Refresh Rate: 240 Hz
Dimensions: 22 x 10 x 15.2-inches
Key Features:
Ultra-low Blue Light
Adaptive-Sync Technology
GameVisual
Trace Free Technology
Over the years, ROG has established itself as a high-quality gaming brand reserved only for top-of-the-line Asus products, and upon taking a look at the specs adorning the Strix XG248Q, its evident that the reputation is beyond justified.
Ladies and gentlemen, have your passports ready, we are slowly approaching the borders of the Republic of Gamers… This sentence sounded a lot better in my head.
Asus ROG Strix XG248Q Review
Featuring a stylish, futuristic look, embellished by customizable RGB lights, a dark grey and red color scheme, and aggressive looking vents to cool this beast down.
Although a bit thicker than one would prefer on a gaming monitor, the top and side bezels are still relatively thin and live plenty of room for maximum immersion, partly thanks to an unintrusive matte black color finish prevailing over the front of the display.
Asus ROG Strix XG248Q Gaming Performance
Like in the case of the monitor previously mentioned on our list, Asus opted for equipping the Strix XG248Q with a TN panel, meaning that they chose to favor better refresh rates and faster response times over color reproduction. Make no mistake: this monitor is strictly aimed at esports aficionados and those who take their (multiplayer) gaming needs seriously!
If the striking design doesn’t already scream gaming, the specs and performance certainly do! The most striking feature of the Strix XG248Q is its staggering 240 Hz refresh rate, which effectively puts the monitor leagues above its competition.
The 3ms input lag, simultaneous G-SYNC and FreeSync support, response time overdrive going from 0 all the way up to 5, ELMB availability at 120 Hz, 144 Hz, 200 Hz AND 240 Hz, Asus GameVisual and GameFast…
As you might imagine, the overall gaming experience on the Strix XG248Q is absolutely top-notch. Additionally, the monitor features an easy-to-use on-screen display through which you can navigate by using the 5-way joystick placed in the back left part of the screen.
Asus ROG Strix XG248Q: What’s Included?
Thankfully, the menu is well organized, and the included out-of-the-box picture presets will suit your every need, whether it be playing RTS, FPS, racing or MOBA games, or watching movies and TV shows.
If none of these presets accommodate your needs, the four separate personalized profiles allow vast degrees of freedom in adjusting your display to the tiniest of preferences. To top it all off, the highly adjustable stand was built with ergonomics in mind, which is reflected in it allowing ±50 degrees of swivel, 20 to -5 degrees of tilt, 90-degree clockwise rotation, and up to 120 mm of height adjustment.
The ergonomics of the Strix XG248Q are unusually comfortable and for good reason. As is the case with almost all TN panels, this one also comes with a slew of typical problems regarding poor viewing angles and a subpar gamut. If you’re in the video editing business, this might not be the ideal monitor for you.
Asus ROG Strix XG248Q Final Verdict
On top of some color-related issues, this monitor will require a very beefy set up in order to experience its capabilities to its entirety. As it stands, only a few esports titles of today (i.e. CS: GO, Fortnite, PUBG) will actually let you push the frame rates as far as 240 fps, and only if you indulge your system by lowering the graphical settings down to medium at best.
The jump from 144 or 165 Hz to 240 Hz is still not as huge of a deal as to warrant such high hardware requirements (though they are lower compared to 1440p displays and above), but if futureproofing your system is your M.O., then the Strix XG248Q will surely provide you with hours of high-end gaming fun for many years to come.
Those who spend the wisest – game the wildest! In this day and age of often ridiculously expensive PC components, a thrifty gamer always makes an effort to get the most bang for his buck. In that endeavor, for those of you who value frugality above all else, we present the AOC C24G1!
AOC may be a rookie when it comes to producing gaming monitors, but they’ve quickly managed to make a name for themselves thanks to their cost-effective gaming displays that offer great value for money. The demands set by its price point of around 180$ are fairly low, so the C24G1 would have to make a serious effort to not meet our expectations in order for us to consider it a waste of money.
Luckily, things are quite to the contrary!
AOC C24G1 Review
The monitor bears the usual striking gamer aesthetic we’ve grown to expect from your run-of-the-mill gaming monitor, which is by no means a disadvantage. Stylish thin red slashes going along the monitor’s back edges, the back of the stand, and the thick bottom bezel are a nice touch combined with the black matte finish serving as the base color.
Speaking of bezels, their remarkable slenderness on the C24G1’s top and sides, combined with the panel’s slight curvature, make it an ideal choice for a multiple monitor setup that would cost you less than some of the best ultrawide monitors currently on offer.
The AOC preferred to keep the C24G1 as low-cost as possible, without wasting any precious resources on some fancy-schmancy RGB lighting and whatnot, which will most certainly please the minimalist audience.
AOC C24G1 Gaming Performance
In the interest of ergonomics and practicality, the tripod-like stand permits up to 130 mm of height adjustment, as well as -4 to 21.5 degrees of tilt, and an impressive 34-degree swivel angle. Like most gaming monitors today, the C24G1 is also VESA mountable and comes with 100×100 mm VESA holes should you wish to UP the ante (*ba dum tss*).
On the technical side of things, the C24G1 sits somewhere in between “solid” and “slightly mediocre”, offering more than what its price tag warrants, but not enough to be able to challenge its comparatively lavish rivals. A pixel-per-inch ratio of 93 staves off any signs of pixelation, but the image accuracy is somewhat compromised by noticeable signs of ghosting and blurring while gaming with the Overdrive option switched off.
For optimal results, we recommend trying the following setup:
Brightness = 65
Color Temperature = User
R = 50
G = 42
B = 33
Overdrive = Medium or Strong (FreeSync/G-SYNC cannot run whilst Overdrive is set to Boost)
AOC C24G1: What’s Included?
Being that the AOC C24G1 is based on a VA panel, you can expect a slight boost in contrast ratios and color quality in comparison with its TN counterparts. Horror game aficionados will find the more intense dark colors much to their liking, though expect some slight ghosting and color uniformity issues when the darker colors start clashing with the lighter ones (i.e. exiting dark rooms in games and stepping into the light).
Once you manage to calibrate the OSD settings and start your first game – the real fun begins! Thanks to its impressive 144 Hz refresh rate, the aforementioned FreeSync, and G-SYNC support, and AMD’s LFC (Low Framerate Compensation) serving as the last line of defense in case your framerate drops below 48 fps, your gaming endeavors are guaranteed to go as smooth as silk.
AOC C24G1 Final Verdict
On the whole, the AOC C24G1’s performance can be summarized in one word: solid. Sure, the lack of USB and speaker ports and somewhat shoddy color accuracy can be seen as a few chinks in its matte black armor. However, considering the fact that we’re dealing with a sub-200$ display, all is forgiven.
The C24G1 acts as an affordable gateway into the world of competitive multiplayer gaming. When needed, it steps up and more than lives up to the task, and frankly, that’s all we’re allowed to ask of it!
Connection Ports: 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 4x USB 3.0, 1x Headphone Jack
Weight: 13.4 lbs
Display Type: LCD
Panel Type: TN
Refresh Rate: 165 Hz
Dimensions: 21.28 x 7.09 x 19.44-inches
Key Features:
Nvidia G-SYNC
Nvidia 3D Vision
Flicker-free Technology
A 24-inch monitor sporting 1440p? A sight rarer than hens’ teeth, for sure! The task of slapping higher resolutions onto smaller monitors without huge tradeoffs is an ungrateful one undoubtedly.
Still, the prospect remains largely unexplored, and as such keeps tempting manufacturers to have a go every once in a while. This time, the mantle is picked up by none other than Dell, a battle-hardened veteran among monitor manufacturers. Will this be a case of lightning in a bottle or storm in a teapot? Let’s find out!
Dell S2417DG Review
Never judge a book by its cover, as the saying goes, and in the case of the S2417DG, this ancient proverb proves to be quite relevant. Visually, the monitor lacks features that might hint at its gaming pedigree and will fight right into any standard office environment. Its firm, silver, rectangular base complements the monitor’s matte gray finish in the front, while the backside is covered by glossy black plastic – a proper fingerprint magnet.
Our one complaint regarding design goes towards the OSD navigational buttons, which feel too hard and rigid and make navigating the otherwise well-organized settings menu more difficult than necessary.
Dell S2417DG Gaming Performance
The stand is ergonomic and highly adjustable to anyone’s needs, letting you tilt, swivel, and adjust the display height to your liking. The portrait mode included is more of a novelty than a proper feature, but it may come in handy if you intend on incorporating it into your multiple monitor setup.
On top of that, the surprisingly thin bezels reinforce S2417DG’s elegant appearance, while also offering great visibility during tense and twitchy FPS matches.
Dell S2417DG: What’s Included?
The S2417DG’s specs are very impressive, packing quite a punch for a monitor of this size! Its crisp resolution of 2560 x 1440p ensures a highly detailed image without any signs of pixelation whatsoever, while the 165 Hz max refresh rate and Nvidia G-SYNC make sure things look sharp in motion.
Whereas issues like color bleeding, screen flickering or ghosting are nowhere to be found, the S2417DG might require some color calibration so as to get the most accurate colors possible.
Aside from tinkering with the settings yourself, you can check out this Reddit post here and see what works for you best. Unfortunately, being that we’re dealing with a TN panel, there’s only so much that can be done regarding color accuracy and the contrast ratio, which is the somber reality that gamers need to make peace with.
Jokes aside, the issues mentioned above only come into play when the S2417DG is put right next to an IPS or VA panel-based monitor. Otherwise, the color discrepancies are nigh impossible to notice, especially when you’re too busy staying alive in PUBG or CS: GO.
The shabby viewing angles can also be amended by adjusting the monitor’s position in any way you seem fit, meaning that Dell was aware of the panel’s faults enough to adorn it with adequate means to lessen its blow.
Dell S2417DG Final Verdict
When all is said and done, the Dell S2417DG is more than a worthy investment for anyone looking for a compact display that offers high-detail visuals and slick gaming performance. As an added bonus, the monitor sees frequent price drops and sales, making its purchase all the more worthwhile!
Connection Ports: 1x HDMI, 1x DVI-D, 1x VGA, 1x Audio IN, 1x Audio OUT
Weight: 8.4 lb
Display Type: W-LED
Panel Type: TN
Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
Dimensions: 8.8 x 22 x 17-inches
Key Features:
Flicker-free Technology
Maybe you’ve underestimated your gaming needs and went a little overboard when assembling your brand-new gaming PC, and now you’re over your budget and left without a proper display. Or perhaps times have been a bit rough finances-wise, and you’re simply looking for a cheap alternative that will quench your thirst for gaming.
Regardless of your circumstances, a true gamer never looks down upon their prudent comrades and instead offers assistance in finding the right components. In this respect, Game Gavel offers a helping hand in time of need by giving you a cheap and reliable alternative: the ViewSonic VX2452MH.
ViewSonic VX2452MH Review
Concerning the visual side of things, the VX2452MH doesn’t offer too much eye candy: black glossy bezels look decently stylish and blend in with any type of environment, with the buttons being located on the bottom right side of the monitor. The monitor lacks USB ports and there’s an absence of a DisplayPort, leaving you with HDMI as your only option.
A reasonable compromise!
ViewSonic VX2452MH Gaming Performance
The stand offers little in terms of ergonomics, offering 20 degrees of tilt and the inclusion of a VESA mount. An inclusion of 2 speakers is a welcome addition, though judging by their quality – rather unnecessary. However, it does go in hand with the philosophy of having a monitor that is ready for gaming right out of the box.
The settings offered by the OSD menu leave much to be desired, but then again, for a 100$ display, it more than lives up to our expectations. It’s implemented Game Mode option enhances darkly lit areas in games, which is accompanied by a fairly impressive dynamic contrast ratio, producing a sharp and detailed image on any occasion.
ViewSonic VX2452MH: What’s Included?
Our biggest fear from monitors in this price range is encountering ghosting or blurring, and we are happy to report that none such issues occur when gaming on the VX2452MH. Being that the monitor’s refresh rate is capped at 75 Hz, don’t expect three-digit framerates, or mind-blowingly smooth performance for that matter. On the plus side, your gaming rig won’t struggle to use the monitor to its utmost abilities, and we’re all about maximizing value for money!
One weird fault, however, is the VX2452MH’s partially strange reproduction of greens, albeit not apparent enough to create a huge distraction during gaming sessions. Other than that, the monitor will provide hours of fun to any casual gamer, and makes it a pretty solid investment given its price and the performance it offers.
ViewSonic VX2452MH Final Verdict
Over the years we’ve grown so spoiled by 144 Hz 1440p displays, that we tend to forget our roots due to rapid advancements in technology. In that sense, the VX2452MH is somewhat of a relic of recent times that seem long gone – a perfect starting point for a gaming freshman!
Still not convinced? Fair game. Feel free to check out our list of best gaming monitors under 150$, as it’s bound to have something that suits your needs!
Console gamers are like siblings to us. We may argue and bicker about the dumbest things, we may occasionally exchange some harsh words we don’t really mean, but at the end of the day, what brings us together is our love towards gaming…
…and our joint hate towards mobile games, of course!
To honor our long-lasting friendship and rivalry, we present our top pick for console gaming, as a token of love and appreciation! ♥️
BenQ ZOWIE RL2460S Review
Mainly targeted toward the PS4 esports crowd that takes their games seriously, the BenQ ZOWIE RL2460S delivers an impressive console gaming experience the likes of which are yet to be matched.
Its somewhat minimalist design coated with a matte black finish is certainly not among the prettiest of the bunch, especially upon taking a look at the somewhat thicker bezels, but the RL2460S is all about high functionality over aesthetics – an admirable direction indeed.
BenQ ZOWIE RL2460S Gaming Performance
In the ergonomics department, the RL2460S provides a height adjustment range of up to 110 mm, -5 to 15 degrees of tilt, and a portrait mode for… reasons. Once you set the monitor to your liking and fire up your console, it’s all smooth sailing. The colors are exceptionally vibrant for a console monitor, which helps immensely when playing colorful games such as Fortnite or Overwatch, as it makes it easier to distinguish your opponents from the background buildings and terrain.
Its 1ms response time (gray-to-gray) irons out any traces of lag or ghosting, a feature more than welcome on consoles due to their framerates plateauing at 60 fps, which would make any potential slowdowns significantly more noticeable.
Even the ridiculously twitchy, blazing-fast gameplay of competitive fighters (i.e. Street Fighter V, Tekken 7, etc.) run without any issues whatsoever, and things only get better with the inclusion of an HDMI Output.
BenQ ZOWIE RL2460S: What’s Included?
This feature lets you duplicate the image from your RL2460S to any other monitor of choice, allowing Head-to-Head Combat matches without any input lag, or invasion of personal space for that matter.
The picture quality follows suit through the availability of several default display modes, calibrated with the FPS, RTS, and fighting games in mind. Though a neat addition, the standard preset offers great out-of-the-box color vibrancy, so there’s no real need to tinker about.
As an added bonus, the included Black eQualizer technology helps to illuminate darker areas in games when turned on, and trust me – you’ll want it turned on, especially when searching through dark houses with your teammates in Rainbow Six Siege. Speaking of darkness, the low blue light filter comes in handy during arduous nighttime sessions to reduce unnecessary eye strain.
Kudos to BenQ for thinking two steps ahead! We’ve already touched upon the subject of TN panels and all their faults, and you can expect pretty much the same with the RL2460S, though much less emphasized being that you’ll be gaming sitting significantly further from the screen.
BenQ ZOWIE RL2460S Final Verdict
To put it bluntly: the BenQ ZOWIE RL2460S is the ultimate choice among console gaming monitors if you’re considering going competitive, or simply raising your gaming experience to the next level. If you’re not so keen on Sony’s flagship console, feel free to check out some of our picks for the best monitors for Xbox One X out there.
Gaming Monitors: A Handy Buying Guide
Choosing the right display for your beloved machine might seem pretty easy at first until you come to the realization that there are literally THOUSANDS upon THOUSANDS of models available on the market today, each with their own set of quirks, specs, favorite astrological signs, and who knows what else. To add salt to the wound, many models bare an uncanny resemblance to one another, further adding to the sense of confusion.
The task may seem daunting, but the night is darkest just before the dawn, and the dawn is coming, my dear reader! Let us shed some light on this issue, and ease your purchase to the best of our abilities. Onward!
Screen Size, Resolution, Aspect Ratio
We’ve decided to bundle the two traits together due to them being of almost equal importance and the fact that your image quality largely depends on how big your screen is and how your screen size plays with the resolution.
The size of your screen means nothing if its resolution is subpar, which will result in a murky, pixelated image. On the other hand, a tiny screen doesn’t provide enough screen estate for higher resolutions, therefore making activities such as reading text and distinguishing icons unnecessarily hard due to their small size.
The aspect ratio determines the relationship of your display’s width compared to its height. The most commonly used aspect ratio today is 16:9 (i.e. 16 inches wide and 9 inches tall), with 16:10, 21:9 (ultrawide) also becoming more and more prevalent on the market.
Along with these three main traits, the fourth one you should be on the lookout for is your PPI (pixel-per-inch) ratio. This number determines how sharp and crisp your image will look on your display. The lower the PPI number – the more pixelated the image will be.
In order to make things more clear, here’s a special table giving you everything you need to know when looking at your monitor’s specs:
Panel Type: TN vs VA vs IPS
Choosing the panel type of your monitor largely depends on the type of PC you’re building and how you intend to use it. TN (twisted nematic) panels reign supreme when it comes to refresh rates and response time, but pale (literally) in comparison to other panels’ color accuracy and vibrancy. VA (vertical alignment) panels’ strongest points lie in its superior contrast ratio and the ability to accurately reproduce darker colors, while it staggers in color reproduction viewing angles.
The third (and currently reigning) type is the IPS (in-plane switching) panel. Not only are IPS panels becoming more and more affordable, but they also offer great viewing angles, accurate colors, fast response times, and competitive refresh rates. Although stagnant, their prices are still on the higher end, which at least gives the other panels a chance to perform their swan songs with poise and decency.
It’s only a matter of time, I’m afraid…
Connection Ports: Why are they so im-PORT-ant?
The standard connection port which you’ll find on the back of most modern TVs and monitors is the HDMI (High-Definition Media Interface). HDMIs are able to carry both video and sound over to your display of choice with ease, which makes it the most practical method of connecting. On top of that, its current outing, HDMI 2.0, supports 4K and 60 fps simultaneously, thereby extending its life cycle for years to come.
And while HDMI remains standing on its winning podium for almost 15 years, a newcomer is preparing to join the battle: DisplayPort (DP). Though not nearly as standardized as HDMI, you’ll find it to be an inseparable piece of every racing/driving sim on the market, being that it can boast with its ability to run 4K AND 144 Hz at the same time. Yes, you read that correctly.
As your average PC grows more powerful, so will the usage of DisplayPort cables. As it is now, HDMI’s doomsday clock is slowly approaching midnight, though we’re certain this old chum won’t go out without a bang.
HDMI 3.0 perhaps?
Best 24-Inch Gaming Monitors FAQ
If solving monitor-related dilemmas is your freakin’ problem, bring them over to Game Gavel, maybe we can solve ‘em!
G-Sync or Freesync?
Both! Truth be told, the only difference between these two adaptive synchronization technologies is the brand they represent and the cards supported. G-SYNC works with Nvidia, while FreeSync supports AMD’s GPUs, as simple as that.
Can You Game on a 60 Hz Monitor?
Absolutely! Though don’t expect to be too competitive once you enter online battle royale arenas alongside 144 Hz monitor users. Their refresh rates give them that extra few milliseconds of reaction time, along with a smoother pixel transition that makes targeting a piece of cake.
What Response Time Is Ideal for Gaming?
Anything ranging up to 5ms will do the job, even 10ms if you don’t consider yourself anything other than a casual gamer. If you’re striving for the big leagues though, 5ms might not make the cut, and you should aim for the 1ms crème de la crème performance.
Final Words
And with that, we bid you farewell. In case we missed out on a few of your favorite gaming display gems, kindly let us know by sharing your expertise in the comments below. Happy gaming!
