Buying Guide
The Best FreeSync Premium Gaming Monitors
Five monitors compared, from the KG241Y X1 to the VG259QMR5A, with the trade-offs of each named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
FreeSync Premium adds low framerate compensation, which keeps motion smooth when frame rates fall. Every pick is certified FreeSync Premium, ordered from the lowest price.
We sorted these picks by refresh rate, resolution and size, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips panel, the guide says so, 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
Acer Nitro KG241Y X1The cheapest way into this group, below the G25F2A.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the G25F2A the next step up.
Check price for Acer Nitro KG241Y X1 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
GIGABYTE G25F2AA 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)
Strong Alternative
Acer Nitro KG251Q X3A 200Hz refresh rate under $90 at the time of writing.
Best for: Buyers who want 200Hz refresh rate under $90 at the time of writing.
Check price for Acer Nitro KG251Q X3 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)Largest Screen Size
Acer Nitro KG271 X1The largest screen size here (27 inches).
Best for: Buyers who put screen size first.
Check price for Acer Nitro KG271 X1 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Refresh
ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMR5AThe highest refresh rate here (310Hz).
Best for: Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most.
Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMR5A on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the G25F2A. | Spending as little as possible, with the G25F2A the next step up. | Check price for Acer Nitro KG241Y X1 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A 240Hz refresh rate under $100 at the time of writing. | 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) |
| A 200Hz refresh rate under $90 at the time of writing. | Buyers who want 200Hz refresh rate under $90 at the time of writing. | Check price for Acer Nitro KG251Q X3 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest screen size here (27 inches). | Buyers who put screen size first. | Check price for Acer Nitro KG271 X1 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest refresh rate here (310Hz). | Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most. | Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMR5A on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Acer Nitro KG241Y X1
The Nitro KG241Y X1 gives 200Hz on IPS for well under $100.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the G25F2A the next step up.
Skip if
- Skip it if screen size matters most to you; the Nitro KG271 offers 27 inches.
Why we like it
It is a solid first gaming monitor. On refresh rate it ties with the KG251Q X3 and the Nitro KG271 at 200Hz. Its 23.8 inches screen size is the smallest in this group; the Nitro KG271 leads at 27 inches.
It shares an IPS panel with the Nitro KG271; the VG259QMR5A goes with a fast IPS panel. It also offers a 200Hz refresh rate under $100 at the time of writing. At 1080p, 200Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the G25F2A was closest.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 200Hz
- Resolution
- 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size
- 23.8 inches
- Panel
- IPS
- Response
- 0.5ms
- Adaptive sync
- FreeSync Premium
Pros
- 200Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- FreeSync Premium to reduce screen tearing
- 200Hz refresh rate under $100 at the time of writing
Cons
- Screen size trails the Nitro KG271 (27 inches)
Also Consider2 of 5
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
- Pass on it if hDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is the pick for fast games. Its 240Hz refresh rate ranks second of 5 here, behind the VG259QMR5A (310Hz) and ahead of the Nitro KG271 (200Hz). On screen size it ties with the KG251Q X3 and the VG259QMR5A at 24.5 inches.
No other pick in this guide offers a SuperSpeed IPS panel; compare the KG241Y X1, which has an IPS panel. It also offers 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. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper KG241Y X1 and the pricier KG251Q X3, at the time of writing.
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
- Costs more than the KG241Y X1 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Acer Nitro KG251Q X3
The Nitro KG251Q X3 runs 200Hz with FreeSync Premium on a 24.5-inch screen for under $90.
Best for
- Buyers who want 200Hz refresh rate under $90 at the time of writing.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the KG241Y X1 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It is the best gaming screen at this price. Its 24.5-inch 1080p panel supports AMD FreeSync Premium to stop tearing. It suits competitive games at high frame rates.
It matches the KG241Y X1 and the Nitro KG271 on refresh rate (200Hz). On screen size it ties with the G25F2A and the VG259QMR5A at 24.5 inches. You also get a 200Hz refresh rate under $90 at the time of writing.
At 1080p, 200Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper G25F2A and the pricier Nitro KG271, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 200Hz
- Resolution
- 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size
- 24.5 inches
- Response
- 0.5ms
- Adaptive sync
- FreeSync Premium
Pros
- 200Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- FreeSync Premium to reduce screen tearing
- 200Hz refresh rate under $90 at the time of writing
- Screen size of 24.5 inches, ahead of the KG241Y X1
Cons
- Costs more than the KG241Y X1 at the time of writing
Largest Screen Size4 of 5
Acer Nitro KG271 X1
What the Nitro KG271 brings to the table is a zero-frame IPS panel.
Best for
- Buyers who put screen size first.
Skip if
- Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the VG259QMR5A offers 310Hz.
Why we like it
It also offers a 200Hz refresh rate and offers a 27 inches screen size. On refresh rate it ties with the KG241Y X1 and the KG251Q X3 at 200Hz. Its 27 inches screen size is the largest here; the G25F2A comes next at 24.5 inches.
It shares an IPS panel with the KG241Y X1; the VG259QMR5A goes with a fast IPS panel. At 1080p, 200Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older. When we checked, only the KG251Q X3 and cheaper picks cost less, and the VG259QMR5A cost more. Refresh rate is its weakest area, and the VG259QMR5A covers it better at 310Hz.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 200Hz
- Resolution
- 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- IPS
- Adaptive sync
- FreeSync Premium
Pros
- 200Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- FreeSync Premium to reduce screen tearing
- Zero-frame IPS panel
Cons
- Refresh rate trails the VG259QMR5A (310Hz)
- Costs more than the KG241Y X1 at the time of writing
Fastest Refresh5 of 5
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
- Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the KG241Y X1 was cheaper at our last price check.
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 G25F2A comes closest at 240Hz. It matches the G25F2A and the KG251Q X3 on screen size (24.5 inches).
A fast IPS panel is unique to it among these picks, while the Nitro KG271 uses an IPS panel. 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Nitro KG271 the nearest cheaper option.
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 KG241Y X1 at the time of writing
How We Chose These FreeSync Premium 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.
- 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; 4 of the 7 fields compared are stated for every pick, while panel and response have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the KG241Y X1 to the VG259QMR5A, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The KG251Q X3 gives no panel; the Nitro KG271 gives no response.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the KG241Y X1 ($50 to $100) to the VG259QMR5A ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a FreeSync Premium Gaming Monitor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Refresh rate across these picks
Here refresh rate runs from 200Hz on the Nitro KG271 to 310Hz on the VG259QMR5A, a 55% spread. For less, the G25F2A is the runner-up at 240Hz ($50 to $100 tier).
Screen size
The Nitro KG271 tops screen size at 27 inches and the KG241Y X1 sits lowest at 23.8 inches. The G25F2A comes second at 24.5 inches, in the $50 to $100 tier against $100 to $150 for the Nitro KG271.
A gaming monitor above a keyboard and mouse on a black desk Response
The KG241Y X1 and the KG251Q X3 list 0.5ms; the G25F2A lists 1ms; the VG259QMR5A lists 0.3ms.
Features beyond the spec table
The KG251Q X3: a 200Hz refresh rate under $90 at the time of writing. The Nitro KG271: a zero-frame IPS panel. The VG259QMR5A: a 310Hz refresh rate for esports.
A gaming desk with a monitor, a racing-style chair and shelves of figures Where your budget lands
$50 to $100 buys the KG241Y X1 and the G25F2A; $100 to $150 buys the KG251Q X3 and the Nitro KG271; $150 to $250 buys the VG259QMR5A at our last check.
How to Choose a FreeSync Premium Gaming Monitor
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the G25F2A the next step up | KG241Y X1 | The cheapest way into this group, below the G25F2A |
| Buyers who want 240Hz refresh rate under $100 at the time of writing | G25F2A | A 240Hz refresh rate under $100 at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want 200Hz refresh rate under $90 at the time of writing | KG251Q X3 | A 200Hz refresh rate under $90 at the time of writing |
| Buyers who put screen size first | Nitro KG271 | The largest screen size here (27 inches) |
| Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most | VG259QMR5A | The highest refresh rate here (310Hz) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The VG259QMR5A leads on refresh rate at 310Hz, ahead of the G25F2A at 240Hz. "Not listed" marks panel where the KG251Q X3 leaves the figure out.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KG241Y X1 | 200Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 23.8 inches | IPS |
| G25F2A | 240Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 24.5 inches | SuperSpeed IPS |
| KG251Q X3 | 200Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 24.5 inches | Not listed |
| Nitro KG271 | 200Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 27 inches | IPS |
| VG259QMR5A | 310Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 24.5 inches | Fast IPS |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the KG241Y X1, sat in the $50 to $100 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the VG259QMR5A at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | KG241Y X1, G25F2A |
| About $100 to $150 | KG251Q X3, Nitro KG271 |
| About $150 to $250 | VG259QMR5A |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the VG259QMR5A ahead of the G25F2A on refresh rate?
The VG259QMR5A tops refresh rate at 310Hz; the G25F2A follows at 240Hz, 29% apart. The Nitro KG271 is at the other end of this group with 200Hz.
Which has the largest screen size: the Nitro KG271 or the G25F2A?
Between the top two, it is 27 inches on the Nitro KG271 against 24.5 inches on the G25F2A, a 10% difference. The KG241Y X1 closes the ranking at 23.8 inches.
Is the VG259QMR5A worth paying more than the KG241Y X1?
The spec sheets show refresh rate (310Hz against 200Hz) and screen size (24.5 inches against 23.8 inches) in its favour. The KG241Y X1 sat in the $50 to $100 tier and the VG259QMR5A in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if refresh rate and screen size decide your purchase.
What makes the KG241Y X1 the Lowest Price Here?
The label rests on the cheapest way into this group, below the G25F2A. It suits spending as little as possible, with the G25F2A the next step up.
Do the KG241Y X1 and the G25F2A differ on panel?
The KG241Y X1 and the Nitro KG271 use IPS; the G25F2A uses SuperSpeed IPS; the VG259QMR5A uses Fast IPS. The maker of the KG251Q X3 doesn't state panel, so 4 of 5 picks are covered here.
Beyond the specs, what sets the KG241Y X1 and the G25F2A apart?
The KG241Y X1: a 200Hz refresh rate under $100 at the time of writing. The G25F2A: a 240Hz refresh rate under $100 at the time of writing. The KG251Q X3: a 200Hz refresh rate under $90 at the time of writing.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the KG241Y X1, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the G25F2A. Look at the G25F2A for a 240Hz refresh rate under $100 at the time of writing, the KG251Q X3 for a 200Hz refresh rate under $90 at the time of writing and the Nitro KG271 for the largest screen size here (27 inches) if those matter more to you.
Turn on adaptive sync in both the monitor menu and the GPU driver.
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
- Similar guideThe Best FreeSync Premium Pro Monitors
- ExplainerHow to Choose a 1080p Monitor
- ExplainerHow to Choose a 1440p Monitor
- Also see: graphics cardsHow Much VRAM Do You Need?
- 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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