Buying Guide
The Best Monitors Under $120
Five monitors compared, from the Westinghouse 24 Curved to the 25G51Z, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Between $80 and $120 you find 1080p gaming monitors with high refresh rates. Every monitor cost 80 to 120 when we checked and lists its size, resolution and refresh rate.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: refresh rate, resolution and size come from each maker's published specs; a missing HDR is flagged, not filled in, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Fastest Refresh
AOC 25G51Z
The highest refresh rate here (260Hz).
Best for: Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most.
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.
Our take Check price for GIGABYTE G25F2A (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
AOC C24G42E Curved
A 1500R curve.
Best for: Buyers who want 1500R curve.
Our take Check price for AOC C24G42E Curved (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Westinghouse 24-inch Curved 165Hz Gaming Monitor
A lower price than the G25F2A and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the G25F2A the next step up.
Our take Check price for Westinghouse 24-inch Curved 165Hz Gaming Monitor (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Amazon Basics 24-inch 165Hz Gaming Monitor
Adaptive sync support.
Best for: Buyers who want adaptive sync support.
Our take Check price for Amazon Basics 24-inch 165Hz Gaming Monitor (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest refresh rate here (260Hz). | Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most. | Check price for AOC 25G51Z (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 (opens in a new tab) |
| A 1500R curve. | Buyers who want 1500R curve. | Check price for AOC C24G42E Curved (opens in a new tab) |
| A lower price than the G25F2A and the rest when we checked. | Spending as little as possible, with the G25F2A the next step up. | Check price for Westinghouse 24-inch Curved 165Hz Gaming Monitor (opens in a new tab) |
| Adaptive sync support. | Buyers who want adaptive sync support. | Check price for Amazon Basics 24-inch 165Hz Gaming Monitor (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Fastest Refresh1 of 5
AOC 25G51Z on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 25G51Z reaches 260Hz overclocked on a 25-inch IPS panel, the highest refresh here.
Best for
- Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Westinghouse 24 Curved, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its 260Hz refresh rate is the highest here; the G25F2A comes next at 240Hz. Nothing else here matches its 25 inches screen size; the G25F2A comes closest at 24.5 inches. Like the Amazon Basics 24, it has an IPS panel, while the C24G42E uses a VA panel.
You get a G-SYNC Compatible here, which sets it apart from the Westinghouse 24 Curved and its a FreeSync. At 1080p, 260Hz 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. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the C24G42E and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 260Hz
- Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size: 25 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Response: 0.5ms
- Adaptive sync: G-SYNC Compatible
Pros
- a 260Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- G-SYNC Compatible to reduce screen tearing
- Largest screen size of the picks (25 inches)
Cons
- Costs more than the Westinghouse 24 Curved at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
GIGABYTE G25F2A on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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.
Why we like it
It is the pick for fast games. Its 240Hz refresh rate ranks second of 5 here, behind the 25G51Z (260Hz) and ahead of the Amazon Basics 24 (165Hz). On screen size it sits mid-pack at 24.5 inches: the 25G51Z comes in at 25 inches, and the Amazon Basics 24 comes in at 23.8 inches.
No other pick in this guide offers a SuperSpeed IPS panel; compare the Westinghouse 24 Curved, which has a VA panel. You get a FreeSync Premium here, which sets it apart from the Westinghouse 24 Curved and its a FreeSync. It also comes with 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 Westinghouse 24 Curved and the pricier Amazon Basics 24, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & 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 Westinghouse 24 Curved at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
AOC C24G42E Curved on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The C24G42E stands out for a 1500R curve, and it adds a three-sided frameless design.
Best for
- Buyers who want 1500R curve.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: a VA panel that can smear dark transitions.
Why we like it
It also offers a 180Hz refresh rate and offers a 24 inches screen size. The 24-inch 1080p VA panel curves at 1500R. It reaches 180Hz over DisplayPort 1.4 with a 1ms MPRT response.
On refresh rate it sits mid-pack at 180Hz: the 25G51Z offers 260Hz, and the Amazon Basics 24 comes in at 165Hz. It shares a VA panel with the Westinghouse 24 Curved; the G25F2A goes with a SuperSpeed IPS panel. You also get a budget price tier.
At 1080p, 180Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older. It was priced above the Amazon Basics 24 and below the 25G51Z at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 180Hz
- Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size: 24 inches
- Panel: VA
- Response: 0.5ms
- HDR: HDR
Pros
- 180Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 1500R curve
- Three-sided frameless design
- Budget price tier
Cons
- a VA panel that can smear dark transitions
- Costs more than the Westinghouse 24 Curved at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 of 5
Westinghouse 24-inch Curved 165Hz Gaming Monitor on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Westinghouse's 24-inch curved monitor uses a VA panel with a 3000:1 contrast ratio and a 165Hz refresh rate.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the G25F2A the next step up.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when a VA panel that can smear dark transitions is a problem.
Why we like it
It adds built-in speakers and FreeSync at one of the lowest prices here. On refresh rate it ties with the Amazon Basics 24 at 165Hz. It matches the C24G42E on screen size (24 inches).
It shares a VA panel with the C24G42E; the 25G51Z goes with an IPS panel. It is the only pick here with a FreeSync; the 25G51Z has a G-SYNC Compatible instead. It also comes with a 1500R curved screen.
At 1080p, 165Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the G25F2A the next step up. What it gives up: refresh rate of 165Hz, behind the 25G51Z (260Hz); by contrast, the 25G51Z offers 260Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 165Hz
- Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size: 24 inches
- Panel: VA
- Response: 1ms
- Color gamut: 110% sRGB
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync
Pros
- 165Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 110% sRGB colour coverage
- FreeSync to reduce screen tearing
- 3000:1 contrast ratio from its VA panel
Cons
- a VA panel that can smear dark transitions
- Refresh rate of 165Hz, behind the 25G51Z (260Hz)
Worth a Look5 of 5
Amazon Basics 24-inch 165Hz Gaming Monitor on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Amazon Basics 24-inch monitor is a plain 1080p IPS screen at 165Hz with adaptive sync.
Best for
- Buyers who want adaptive sync support.
Skip if
- Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the 25G51Z offers 260Hz.
Why we like it
It has little beyond that, which suits a first gaming monitor on a tight budget. On refresh rate it ties with the Westinghouse 24 Curved at 165Hz. Its 23.8 inches screen size is the smallest in this group; the 25G51Z leads at 25 inches.
It shares an IPS panel with the 25G51Z; the Westinghouse 24 Curved goes with a VA panel. It also comes with VESA mounting. At 1080p, 165Hz 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 G25F2A and cheaper picks cost less, and the C24G42E cost more. Refresh rate is its weakest area, and the 25G51Z covers it better at 260Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 165Hz
- Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size: 23.8 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Response: 1ms
Pros
- 165Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- Adaptive sync support
- VESA mounting
Cons
- Refresh rate trails the 25G51Z (260Hz)
- Screen size trails the 25G51Z (25 inches)
- Costs more than the Westinghouse 24 Curved at the time of writing
How We Chose These Monitors Under $120
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We compared five monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 3 of 5 picks leave out HDR.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the 25G51Z to the Amazon Basics 24, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The 25G51Z, the Westinghouse 24 Curved and the Amazon Basics 24 give no HDR; the 25G51Z, the C24G42E and the Amazon Basics 24 give no color gamut.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Westinghouse 24 Curved ($50 to $100) to the 25G51Z ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a Monitor Under $120
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Refresh rate across these picks
Here refresh rate runs from 165Hz on the Amazon Basics 24 to 260Hz on the 25G51Z, a 58% spread. For less, the G25F2A is the runner-up at 240Hz ($50 to $100 tier).
Screen size
The 25G51Z tops screen size at 25 inches and the Amazon Basics 24 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 25G51Z.
Response
The 25G51Z and the C24G42E list 0.5ms; the G25F2A, the Westinghouse 24 Curved and the Amazon Basics 24 list 1ms.
Features beyond the spec table
The C24G42E: a three-sided frameless design. The Westinghouse 24 Curved: a 1500R curved screen. The Amazon Basics 24: VESA mounting.
Where your budget lands
$50 to $100 buys the Westinghouse 24 Curved and the G25F2A; $100 to $150 buys the Amazon Basics 24, the C24G42E and the 25G51Z at our last check.
How to Choose a Monitor Under $120
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most | 25G51Z | The highest refresh rate here (260Hz) |
| 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 1500R curve | C24G42E | A 1500R curve |
| Spending as little as possible, with the G25F2A the next step up | Westinghouse 24 Curved | A lower price than the G25F2A and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want adaptive sync support | Amazon Basics 24 | Adaptive sync support |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The 25G51Z leads on refresh rate at 260Hz, ahead of the G25F2A at 240Hz.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25G51Z | 260Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 25 inches | IPS |
| G25F2A | 240Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 24.5 inches | SuperSpeed IPS |
| C24G42E | 180Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 24 inches | VA |
| Westinghouse 24 Curved | 165Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 24 inches | VA |
| Amazon Basics 24 | 165Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 23.8 inches | IPS |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Westinghouse 24 Curved, sat in the $50 to $100 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the 25G51Z at $100 to $150; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Westinghouse 24 Curved, G25F2A |
| About $100 to $150 | Amazon Basics 24, C24G42E, 25G51Z |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 25G51Z ahead of the G25F2A on refresh rate?
The 25G51Z leads at 260Hz, with the G25F2A at 240Hz. The Amazon Basics 24 is at the other end of this group with 165Hz.
Which has the largest screen size: the 25G51Z or the G25F2A?
The 25G51Z tops screen size at 25 inches; the G25F2A follows at 24.5 inches, 2% apart. The Amazon Basics 24 closes the ranking at 23.8 inches.
Is the 25G51Z worth paying more than the Westinghouse 24 Curved?
What it brings is refresh rate (260Hz against 165Hz) and screen size (25 inches against 24 inches). The Westinghouse 24 Curved sat in the $50 to $100 tier and the 25G51Z in the $100 to $150 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 25G51Z the Fastest Refresh?
It carries the badge for the highest refresh rate here (260Hz). The G25F2A is next on refresh rate at 240Hz, so this pick's 260Hz is 8% further out. The Westinghouse 24 Curved, the cheapest pick, sat in the $50 to $100 tier against $100 to $150 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most.
Do the 25G51Z and the G25F2A differ on panel?
The 25G51Z and the Amazon Basics 24 use IPS; the G25F2A uses SuperSpeed IPS; the C24G42E and the Westinghouse 24 Curved use VA.
Beyond the specs, what sets the 25G51Z and the G25F2A apart?
The 25G51Z: an overclocked 260Hz refresh rate. The G25F2A: a 240Hz refresh rate under $100 at the time of writing. The C24G42E: a 1500R curve.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the 25G51Z. Look at the G25F2A for a 240Hz refresh rate under $100 at the time of writing, the C24G42E for a 1500R curve and the Westinghouse 24 Curved for a lower price than the G25F2A and the rest when we checked if those matter more to you.
A high refresh rate needs the right cable and port; check DisplayPort or HDMI support.