Buying Guide

The Best 1080p 240Hz Gaming Monitors

Four monitors ranked on refresh rate and screen size, where the VG259QMR5A has the highest refresh rate; the G25F2A is the cheapest route in.

By , PC Hardware Editor

11 min read4 products evaluated

Desktop monitors on monitor arms above a wooden desk with keyboards and mice
Illustrative image

1080p at 240Hz is the budget route to esports frame rates. Every pick is a 1080p panel at 240Hz or more, ordered from the lowest price.

We ranked these monitors on refresh rate, resolution and size using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves out response, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.

Quick Picks

Which of the 4 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.

  1. Also Consider

    GIGABYTE G25F2A

    A 240Hz refresh rate under $100 at the time of writing.

    Best for: Buyers who want 240Hz refresh rate under $100 at the time of writing.

    Check price for GIGABYTE G25F2A on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  2. Strong Alternative

    Dell 24 SE2426HG 240Hz

    240Hz at a budget price tier.

    Best for: Buyers who want 240Hz at a budget price tier.

    Check price for Dell 24 SE2426HG 240Hz on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  3. Fastest Refresh

    ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMR5A

    The highest refresh rate here (310Hz).

    Best for: Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.

    Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMR5A on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  4. Largest Screen Size

    AOC C27G4ZH Curved

    The largest screen size here (27 inches).

    Best for: Buyers who put screen size first.

    Check price for AOC C27G4ZH Curved on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

Also Consider1 of 4

GIGABYTE G25F2A

The G25F2A runs a 24.5-inch IPS panel at 240Hz with FreeSync Premium at a price that used to buy 144Hz.

Best for

Buyers who want 240Hz refresh rate under $100 at the time of writing.

Skip if

Worth skipping when hDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification is a problem.
GIGABYTE G25F2A

Why we like it

It is the pick for fast games. On refresh rate it ties with the SE2426HG at 240Hz. It matches the VG259QMR5A on screen size (24.5 inches).

You get a SuperSpeed IPS panel here, which sets it apart from the C27G4ZH and its a VA panel. You get a 120% sRGB color gamut here, which sets it apart from the VG259QMR5A and its a 99% sRGB color gamut. You also get a 240Hz refresh rate under $100 at the time of writing. At 1080p, 240Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older.

Key specs

Refresh rate
240Hz
Resolution
1920x1080 (1080p)
Size
24.5 inches
Panel
SuperSpeed IPS
Response
1ms
HDR
HDR10
Color gamut
120% sRGB
Adaptive sync
FreeSync Premium

Pros

  • a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
  • a SuperSpeed IPS panel with wide viewing angles
  • 120% sRGB colour coverage
  • FreeSync Premium to reduce screen tearing

Cons

  • HDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification
  • Refresh rate of 240Hz, behind the VG259QMR5A (310Hz)

The catch

What it gives up: refresh rate of 240Hz, behind the VG259QMR5A (310Hz); by contrast, the VG259QMR5A offers 310Hz.

Strong Alternative2 of 4

Dell 24 SE2426HG 240Hz

The SE2426HG is Dell's 23.8-inch 240Hz Fast IPS model with 99% sRGB coverage.

Best for

Buyers who want 240Hz at a budget price tier.

Skip if

Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the VG259QMR5A offers 310Hz.
Dell 24 SE2426HG 240Hz

Why we like it

It costs about $100 at the time of writing. On refresh rate it ties with the G25F2A at 240Hz. Its 23.8 inches screen size is the smallest in this group; the C27G4ZH leads at 27 inches.

It shares a fast IPS panel with the VG259QMR5A; the C27G4ZH goes with a VA panel. It shares a 99% sRGB color gamut with the VG259QMR5A; the G25F2A goes with a 120% sRGB color gamut. It also comes with 240Hz at a budget price tier and a 23.8-inch size for close desks. At 1080p, 240Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older.

Key specs

Refresh rate
240Hz
Resolution
1920x1080 (1080p)
Size
23.8 inches
Panel
Fast IPS
Color gamut
99% sRGB

Pros

  • a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
  • a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
  • 99% sRGB colour coverage
  • 240Hz at a budget price tier

Cons

  • Refresh rate trails the VG259QMR5A (310Hz)
  • Screen size trails the C27G4ZH (27 inches)

The catch

Refresh rate is its weakest area, and the VG259QMR5A covers it better at 310Hz.

Fastest Refresh3 of 4

ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMR5A

The VG259QMR5A is the esports pick, with a 310Hz Fast IPS panel at 1080p and a 3-year warranty.

Best for

Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.

Skip if

Price-first buyers should look at the G25F2A, which cost less when we checked.
ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMR5A

Why we like it

The 24.5-inch fast IPS panel overclocks to 310Hz and lists a 0.3ms response, with FreeSync Premium and G-Sync compatibility. Nothing else here matches its 310Hz refresh rate; the C27G4ZH comes closest at 280Hz. On screen size it ties with the G25F2A at 24.5 inches.

Like the SE2426HG, it has a fast IPS panel, while the G25F2A uses a SuperSpeed IPS panel. Like the SE2426HG, it has a 99% sRGB color gamut, while the G25F2A uses a 120% sRGB color gamut. At 1080p, 310Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older.

G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. Its price falls between the SE2426HG and the C27G4ZH, based on our last check.

Key specs

Refresh rate
310Hz
Resolution
1920x1080 (1080p)
Size
24.5 inches
Panel
Fast IPS
Response
0.3ms
Color gamut
99% sRGB
Adaptive sync
FreeSync Premium, G-SYNC Compatible
Warranty
3-year

Pros

  • a 310Hz refresh rate for fast motion
  • a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
  • 99% sRGB colour coverage
  • FreeSync Premium, G-SYNC Compatible to reduce screen tearing

Cons

  • Costs more than the G25F2A at the time of writing

Largest Screen Size4 of 4

AOC C27G4ZH Curved

AOC's C27G4ZH curves a 27-inch 1080p VA panel and runs it at 280Hz on a height, tilt and swivel stand.

Best for

Buyers who put screen size first.

Skip if

Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: a VA panel that can smear dark transitions.
AOC C27G4ZH Curved

Why we like it

It trades resolution for speed. It refreshes at 280Hz with a 0.3ms response time. The 1500R curve wraps the image around your view.

The 1500R curve keeps the corners of the 27-inch panel in view. On refresh rate it sits mid-pack at 280Hz: the VG259QMR5A offers 310Hz, and the SE2426HG comes in at 240Hz. On screen size it leads this guide at 27 inches, ahead of the G25F2A (24.5 inches).

You get a VA panel here, which sets it apart from the VG259QMR5A and its a fast IPS panel. You also get VESA mounting. At 1080p, 280Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older. Only the VG259QMR5A came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 4 picks.

Key specs

Refresh rate
280Hz
Resolution
1920x1080 (1080p)
Size
27 inches
Panel
VA
Response
0.3ms
HDR
HDR
Stand
height, tilt and swivel

Pros

  • a 280Hz refresh rate for fast motion
  • a stand with height, tilt and swivel
  • 280Hz on a 1500R curve
  • Height-adjustable stand

Cons

  • a VA panel that can smear dark transitions
  • Costs more than the G25F2A at the time of writing

How We Chose These 1080p 240Hz Gaming Monitors

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.

A large monitor showing a game on a low media unit
A large monitor showing a game on a low media unit
How these picks were ranked
We compared four monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 4 picks leave out response.
What every pick has in common
All 4, from the G25F2A to the C27G4ZH, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution.
Where the specs have gaps
The SE2426HG gives no response; the SE2426HG and the VG259QMR5A give no HDR.
Price range
At our last check the picks ran from the G25F2A ($50 to $100) to the C27G4ZH ($150 to $250).

What to Look for in a 1080p 240Hz Gaming Monitor

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. Refresh rate

    Across these 4 picks refresh rate spans 240Hz (the SE2426HG) to 310Hz (the VG259QMR5A). The VG259QMR5A is the pick for refresh rate.

  2. Screen size across these picks

    The C27G4ZH tops screen size at 27 inches and the SE2426HG sits lowest at 23.8 inches. For less, the G25F2A is the runner-up at 24.5 inches ($50 to $100 tier).

    A gaming monitor on a desk with purple bias lighting
    A gaming monitor on a desk with purple bias lighting
  3. Response

    The G25F2A lists 1ms; the VG259QMR5A and the C27G4ZH list 0.3ms. Settling response first narrows 3 picks to 2 or 1.

  4. Extras that separate them

    The SE2426HG: 99% sRGB coverage. The VG259QMR5A: a 310Hz refresh rate for esports. The C27G4ZH: a height-adjustable stand.

    A gaming monitor above a keyboard and mouse on a black desk
    A gaming monitor above a keyboard and mouse on a black desk
  5. How much to spend

    $50 to $100 buys the G25F2A and the SE2426HG; $150 to $250 buys the VG259QMR5A and the C27G4ZH at our last check.

How to Choose a 1080p 240Hz Gaming Monitor

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
Buyers who want 240Hz refresh rate under $100 at the time of writingG25F2AA 240Hz refresh rate under $100 at the time of writing
Buyers who want 240Hz at a budget price tierSE2426HG240Hz at a budget price tier
Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame ratesVG259QMR5AThe highest refresh rate here (310Hz)
Buyers who put screen size firstC27G4ZHThe largest screen size here (27 inches)

Scroll sideways to see every column.

A gaming desk with a monitor, a racing-style chair and shelves of figures
A gaming desk with a monitor, a racing-style chair and shelves of figures

Key specs side by side

The VG259QMR5A leads on refresh rate at 310Hz, ahead of the C27G4ZH at 280Hz.

MonitorRefresh rateResolutionSizePanel
G25F2A240Hz1920x1080 (1080p)24.5 inchesSuperSpeed IPS
SE2426HG240Hz1920x1080 (1080p)23.8 inchesFast IPS
VG259QMR5A310Hz1920x1080 (1080p)24.5 inchesFast IPS
C27G4ZH280Hz1920x1080 (1080p)27 inchesVA

Scroll sideways to see every column.

By price at the time of writing

The G25F2A was the lowest-priced pick ($50 to $100) and the C27G4ZH the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.

Price tierMonitors
About $50 to $100G25F2A, SE2426HG
About $150 to $250VG259QMR5A, C27G4ZH

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the highest refresh rate: the VG259QMR5A or the C27G4ZH?

The VG259QMR5A tops refresh rate at 310Hz; the C27G4ZH follows at 280Hz, 11% apart. The SE2426HG closes the ranking at 240Hz.

Is the C27G4ZH ahead of the G25F2A on screen size?

The C27G4ZH leads at 27 inches, with the G25F2A at 24.5 inches. The SE2426HG is at the other end of this group with 23.8 inches.

What does the C27G4ZH add over the G25F2A?

What it brings is refresh rate (280Hz against 240Hz) and screen size (27 inches against 24.5 inches). On our last price check the G25F2A was in the $50 to $100 tier and the C27G4ZH in the $150 to $250 tier, with 2 other picks between them; pay the difference only if refresh rate and screen size decide your purchase.

Why is the C27G4ZH our Largest Screen Size pick?

It earns the label for the largest screen size here (27 inches). On screen size it leads the G25F2A, 27 inches against 24.5 inches, a 10% margin. The G25F2A, the cheapest pick, sat in the $50 to $100 tier against $150 to $250 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits anyone who puts screen size first.

Do the G25F2A and the SE2426HG differ on panel?

The G25F2A uses SuperSpeed IPS; the SE2426HG and the VG259QMR5A use Fast IPS; the C27G4ZH uses VA.

What extras do the G25F2A and the SE2426HG include?

The G25F2A: a 240Hz refresh rate under $100 at the time of writing. The SE2426HG: 240Hz at a budget price tier. The VG259QMR5A: a 310Hz refresh rate for esports.

Bottom Line

Our first pick is the G25F2A, chosen for a 240Hz refresh rate under $100 at the time of writing. Look at the SE2426HG for 240Hz at a budget price tier and the C27G4ZH for the largest screen size here (27 inches) if those matter more to you.

Use DisplayPort to reach the full refresh rate.

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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