Buying Guide
The Best 120Hz Monitor for Gaming
Five monitors compared, from the AHXJKA 16 portable to the TECLAST 16, with the trade-offs of each named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
A 100Hz to 144Hz monitor is a big step up from 60Hz for smooth motion, and suits consoles that output 120Hz. Every pick has a refresh rate in that range.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: refresh rate, resolution and size come from each maker's published specs; a missing panel is flagged, not filled in, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
AHXJKA 16-inch portable gaming monitor 144HzThe lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $100.
Check price for AHXJKA 16-inch portable gaming monitor 144Hz on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Acer SB242Y H1biThe lowest price here at the time of writing.
Best for: Buyers who want lowest price here at the time of writing.
Check price for Acer SB242Y H1bi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
AOC 24B35H3100% sRGB colour coverage.
Best for: Buyers who want 100% sRGB colour coverage.
Check price for AOC 24B35H3 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
LG 24U411A-BA Reader Mode for long reading sessions.
Best for: Buyers who want Reader Mode for long reading sessions.
Check price for LG 24U411A-B on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
TECLAST 16-inch 144Hz PortableThe top of this price range, adding 144Hz with FreeSync.
Best for: Spending more than the 24U411A costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Check price for TECLAST 16-inch 144Hz Portable on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
AHXJKA 16-inch portable gaming monitor 144Hz
The AHXJKA 16 portable stands out for built-in speakers and VESA mounting, and it adds support for variable refresh rate.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $100.
Skip if
- Pass on it if screen size of 16 inches, behind the 24B35H3 (24 inches) rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It also offers a 144Hz refresh rate and offers a 16 inches screen size. It shares a 1920x1200 resolution with the TECLAST 16; the 24B35H3 goes with a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution. You get a 133% sRGB color gamut here, which sets it apart from the TECLAST 16 and its a 100% sRGB color gamut.
Another plus: FreeSync to reduce screen tearing. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the SB242Y the next step up. What it gives up: screen size of 16 inches, behind the 24B35H3 (24 inches); by contrast, the 24B35H3 comes in at 24 inches.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 144Hz
- Resolution
- 1920x1200
- Size
- 16 inches
- Color gamut
- 133% sRGB
- Adaptive sync
- FreeSync
Pros
- 144Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 133% sRGB colour coverage
- FreeSync to reduce screen tearing
- Built-in speakers and VESA mounting
Cons
- Screen size of 16 inches, behind the 24B35H3 (24 inches)
Also Consider2 of 5
Acer SB242Y H1bi
The SB242Y stands out for the lowest price here at the time of writing.
Best for
- Buyers who want lowest price here at the time of writing.
Skip if
- Pass on it if a 100Hz refresh rate that suits work more than fast games rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It also offers a 100Hz refresh rate and offers a 23.8 inches screen size. Its 100Hz refresh rate is the lowest in this group; the AHXJKA 16 portable leads at 144Hz. On screen size it sits mid-pack at 23.8 inches: the 24B35H3 comes in at 24 inches, and the TECLAST 16 comes in at 16 inches.
Like the 24B35H3 and 24U411A, it has a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution, while the AHXJKA 16 portable uses a 1920x1200 resolution. Its price falls between the AHXJKA 16 portable and the 24B35H3, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 100Hz
- Resolution
- 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size
- 23.8 inches
- Response
- 4ms
Pros
- The lowest price here at the time of writing
- Screen size of 23.8 inches, ahead of the AHXJKA 16 portable
- 100Hz refresh rate
- 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution
Cons
- a 100Hz refresh rate that suits work more than fast games
- Refresh rate trails the AHXJKA 16 portable (144Hz)
- Costs more than the AHXJKA 16 portable at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
AOC 24B35H3
The 24B35H3 offers 100% sRGB on an IPS panel at 120Hz.
Best for
- Buyers who want 100% sRGB colour coverage.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the AHXJKA 16 portable was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It is a colour-accurate budget screen. Its 24-inch IPS panel runs at 120Hz with Adaptive Sync, which is smoother than a 60Hz office screen. Wide viewing angles keep colour consistent.
It covers 100% of sRGB with flicker-free backlighting and a low blue light mode. HDMI and VGA inputs plus a headphone jack cover older PCs. Its 84% NTSC coverage gives slightly richer colour than a typical budget office screen.
On refresh rate it ties with the 24U411A at 120Hz. It matches the 24U411A on screen size (24 inches). It shares a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution with the SB242Y and 24U411A; the TECLAST 16 goes with a 1920x1200 resolution.
It shares a 100% sRGB color gamut with the TECLAST 16; the 24U411A goes with a 99% sRGB color gamut. It was priced above the SB242Y and below the 24U411A at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 120Hz
- Resolution
- 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size
- 24 inches
- Panel
- IPS
- Color gamut
- 100% sRGB
Pros
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 100% sRGB colour coverage
- Refresh rate of 120Hz, ahead of the SB242Y
- Screen size of 24 inches, ahead of the SB242Y
Cons
- Costs more than the AHXJKA 16 portable at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
LG 24U411A-B
The 24U411A offers 99% sRGB colour, HDR10 input and a 120Hz rate.
Best for
- Buyers who want Reader Mode for long reading sessions.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: hDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification.
Why we like it
It suits work and casual games alike. Its 24-inch IPS panel has slim bezels on three sides, which suits a multi-monitor row. Full HD at this size keeps text sharp enough for office work.
It matches the 24B35H3 on refresh rate (120Hz). On screen size it ties with the 24B35H3 at 24 inches. Like the SB242Y and 24B35H3, it has a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution, while the AHXJKA 16 portable uses a 1920x1200 resolution.
No other pick in this guide offers a 99% sRGB color gamut; compare the 24B35H3, which has a 100% sRGB color gamut. It also offers a Reader Mode for long reading sessions. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper 24B35H3 and the pricier TECLAST 16, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 120Hz
- Resolution
- 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size
- 24 inches
- Panel
- IPS
- Response
- 1ms
- HDR
- HDR10
- Color gamut
- 99% sRGB
Pros
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 99% sRGB colour coverage
- Reader Mode for long reading sessions
- Refresh rate of 120Hz, ahead of the SB242Y
Cons
- HDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification
- Costs more than the AHXJKA 16 portable at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
TECLAST 16-inch 144Hz Portable
TECLAST's 16-inch portable runs 1920x1200 at 144Hz with 100% sRGB coverage and FreeSync.
Best for
- Spending more than the 24U411A costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Skip it if screen size matters most to you; the 24B35H3 offers 24 inches.
Why we like it
It combines a taller screen with a high refresh rate. Its 16-inch 1920x1200 panel runs at 144Hz with 100% sRGB, and one USB-C cable carries video and power. HDMI covers consoles.
It matches the AHXJKA 16 portable on refresh rate (144Hz). On screen size it ties with the AHXJKA 16 portable at 16 inches. Like the AHXJKA 16 portable, it has a 1920x1200 resolution, while the 24B35H3 uses a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution.
Like the 24B35H3, it has a 100% sRGB color gamut, while the AHXJKA 16 portable uses a 133% sRGB color gamut. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the 24U411A. If screen size is your priority, the 24B35H3 (24 inches) is the stronger choice.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 144Hz
- Resolution
- 1920x1200
- Size
- 16 inches
- Panel
- IPS
- Color gamut
- 100% sRGB
- Adaptive sync
- FreeSync
- USB-C
- Yes
Pros
- 144Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 100% sRGB colour coverage
- FreeSync to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Screen size trails the 24B35H3 (24 inches)
- Costs more than the AHXJKA 16 portable at the time of writing
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 7 fields compared are stated for every pick, while panel and response have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the AHXJKA 16 portable to the TECLAST 16, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The AHXJKA 16 portable and the SB242Y give no panel; the AHXJKA 16 portable, the 24B35H3 and the TECLAST 16 give no response.
- Price range
- From the AHXJKA 16 portable to the TECLAST 16, all sat in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a 120Hz Monitor for Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much refresh rate you need
The AHXJKA 16 portable tops refresh rate at 144Hz and the SB242Y sits lowest at 100Hz; 2 picks share the top figure. The AHXJKA 16 portable is the pick for refresh rate.
Screen size across these picks
Across these 5 picks screen size spans 16 inches (the TECLAST 16) to 24 inches (the 24B35H3). If screen size is your first filter, the 24B35H3 sets the ceiling at 24 inches.
A large monitor showing a game on a low media unit Response
The SB242Y lists 4ms; the 24U411A lists 1ms. Settling response first narrows 2 picks to 1 or 1.
Features beyond the spec table
The 24B35H3: 100% sRGB colour coverage. The 24U411A: a Reader Mode for long reading sessions. The TECLAST 16: USB-C single-cable video and power.
A gaming monitor on a desk with purple bias lighting How much to spend
Price does little to separate these 5: the AHXJKA 16 portable through the TECLAST 16 all landed in the $50 to $100 tier, which leaves refresh rate to decide it.
How to Choose a 120Hz Monitor for Gaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the cost under $100 | AHXJKA 16 portable | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want lowest price here at the time of writing | SB242Y | The lowest price here at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want 100% sRGB colour coverage | 24B35H3 | 100% sRGB colour coverage |
| Buyers who want Reader Mode for long reading sessions | 24U411A | A Reader Mode for long reading sessions |
| Spending more than the 24U411A costs for the fullest feature set in this group | TECLAST 16 | The top of this price range, adding 144Hz with FreeSync |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The AHXJKA 16 portable leads on refresh rate at 144Hz, ahead of the TECLAST 16 at 144Hz. "Not listed" marks panel where the AHXJKA 16 portable and the SB242Y leave the figure out.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AHXJKA 16 portable | 144Hz | 1920x1200 | 16 inches | Not listed |
| SB242Y | 100Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 23.8 inches | Not listed |
| 24B35H3 | 120Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 24 inches | IPS |
| 24U411A | 120Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 24 inches | IPS |
| TECLAST 16 | 144Hz | 1920x1200 | 16 inches | IPS |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the AHXJKA 16 portable the Lowest Price Here?
The label rests on the lowest price of the group at our last check. It suits keeping the cost under $100.
Do the AHXJKA 16 portable and the SB242Y differ on resolution?
The AHXJKA 16 portable and the TECLAST 16 use 1920x1200; the SB242Y, the 24B35H3 and the 24U411A use 1920x1080 (1080p).
Beyond the specs, what sets the AHXJKA 16 portable and the SB242Y apart?
The AHXJKA 16 portable: built-in speakers and VESA mounting. The SB242Y: the lowest price here at the time of writing. The 24B35H3: 100% sRGB colour coverage.
Who should choose the TECLAST 16?
The TECLAST 16 carries our Premium Pick label for the top of this price range, adding 144Hz with FreeSync. It ranks fifth of 5 here and sat in the $50 to $100 tier at our last price check; it suits spending more than the 24U411A costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Should I pick the AHXJKA 16 portable or the TECLAST 16?
The AHXJKA 16 portable suits keeping the cost under $100; the TECLAST 16 suits spending more than the 24U411A costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the AHXJKA 16 portable, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the SB242Y for the lowest price here at the time of writing, the 24B35H3 for 100% sRGB colour coverage and the 24U411A for a Reader Mode for long reading sessions if those matter more to you.
Consoles reach 120Hz only over HDMI 2.1 in supported games.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Monitors to Buy Now
- Related guideThe Best 1440p Gaming Monitors to Buy
- Related guideThe Best OLED Gaming Monitors
- Lower budgetThe Best Budget Gaming Monitors
- Higher budgetThe Best FreeSync Premium Gaming Monitors
- ExplainerHow to Choose a 1080p Monitor
- ExplainerHow to Choose a 1440p Monitor
- Also see: graphics cardsHow to Read Graphics Card Names: Ti, Super, XT and OC Editions
- Similar guideThe Best HDR1000 Gaming Monitors
- Topic hubAll gaming monitors guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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