So, you’ve decided to upgrade your game by getting a faster monitor?
We’ll cut right to the chase — there are various 240Hz models out there, both good and bad, so we’ve picked the best of the best models for you to choose from according to your budget and preference.
Monitor | Size | Resolution | Panel | VRR | G-SYNC | MBR | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
24.5” | 1920x1080 | IPS | FreeSync | Stable | No | ||
24.5” | 1920x1080 | TN | FreeSync | Stable | Yes | ||
24” | 1920x1080 | IPS | FreeSync | Stable | Yes | ||
27” 32” | 2560x1440 | VA | FreeSync Premium Pro | Compatible | Yes | ||
27” | 2560x1440 | IPS | FreeSync | Compatible | Yes | ||
27” | 2560x1440 | OLED | FreeSync | Stable | No | ||
32” | 2560x1440 | IPS | FreeSync | Compatible | No | ||
49” | 5120x1440 | VA | FreeSync Premium Pro | Compatible | No | ||
49” | 5120x1440 | VA | FreeSync Premium Pro | Stable | No | ||
45" | 3440x1440 | OLED | FreeSync Premium | Stable | No | ||
49" | 5120x1440 | OLED | FreeSync Premium Pro | Stable | No |
At 240Hz, fast-paced motion becomes significantly smoother as opposed to standard 60Hz-75Hz displays. Although the bump isn’t as noticeable as it’s when going from 60Hz to 144Hz, you can definitely see and feel the difference.
A higher refresh rate also ensures lower input lag! While these things won’t magically make you a better player, you do get a slight advantage over other gamers with regular screens.
Most importantly, a high refresh rate makes the gaming experience feel more responsive and enjoyable.
Now, to ensure you’re getting the optimal performance, there are additional things to consider, such as the screen size and panel type as well as VRR and MBR performance — all of which we’ll get into in the following monitor reviews.
If you want to view our changelogs for this particular buying guide, you can do so at the end of this article.
Dell S2522HG
Affordable 240Hz IPS Monitor
Size: 24.5”
Resolution: 1920×1080
Panel: IPS
VRR: FreeSync
G-SYNC: Compatible
MBR: Yes
The Pros:
- Quick response time, low input lag
- Plenty of gaming features including FreeSync up to 240Hz
- Fully ergonomic stand, USB hub
- Vibrant colors and wide viewing angles
The Cons:
- No MBR
- IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology)
About The Monitor
The Dell S2522HG is a 25″ 1080p 240Hz IPS gaming monitor that goes for $250 – $280. It’s one of the cheapest 240Hz displays yet it offers buttery-smooth performance and great image quality.
Image Quality
Thanks to its IPS panel, the Dell S2522HG has 178° wide viewing angles, meaning that the picture won’t shift in color, brightness, contrast or gamma when looked at skewed angles.
Further, the colors are accurate and consistent across the screen. The monitor covers the entire sRGB color space, so if you have a colorimeter, you can also use it for professional color-critical work involving the sRGB gamut.
Most importantly, the Dell S2522HG has a rapid 1ms GtG pixel response time speed, which ensures that there’s no visible ghosting behind fast-moving objects.
With a 400-nit peak luminance, the monitor can get more than bright enough even in particularly bright rooms, while the contrast ratio is standard for IPS technology at 1,000:1.
Features
Moving on, the S2522HG supports AMD FreeSync with a 48-240Hz VRR (variable refresh rate) range for tear-free gameplay.
This technology synchronizes the monitor’s refresh rate with GPU’s frame rate. So, when you’re getting around 144FPS, for instance, the display will dynamically change its refresh rate to 144Hz – thus preventing tearing and stuttering at no perceptible input lag penalty.
Sadly, the S2522HG doesn’t support optional Motion Blur Reduction (MBR), which reduces perceived motion blur at a cost of picture brightness by backlight strobing.
MBR also introduces screen flickering. It’s invisible to the human eye, but those sensitive to flicker can still experience headaches or eye strain after prolonged use.
Other features include Dark Stabilizer (improves visibility in darker games) and various pre-calibrated picture presets.
Design & Connectivity
The Dell S2522HG has a height-adjustable stand by up to 130mm, and you can tilt the screen by -5°/21°, pivot by 90° and swivel it by +/- 45°. Alternatively, you can mount the screen using the 100x100mm VESA pattern.
Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.2, a headphone jack and a quad-USB 3.0 hub.
BenQ XL2546K
Best 240Hz TN Monitor
Size: 24.5”
Resolution: 1920×1080
Panel: TN
VRR: FreeSync
G-SYNC: Stable
MBR: Yes
The Pros:
- Quick response time, low input lag
- AMD FreeSync and MBR up to 240Hz
- Impeccable MBR implementation
- Additional gaming features including S. Switch and the shading hood
- Fully ergonomic stand, USB hub
The Cons:
- Inferior image quality to IPS/VA panels
- Narrow viewing angles
- Expensive
About The Monitor
BenQ’s Zowie gaming monitors are often the choice of professional players and various eSports tournaments; there are good reasons for that, too!
Features
The BenQ XL2546K is based on a TN panel with inferior image quality and narrower viewing angles in comparison to IPS panels.
So, why is the XL2546K almost double the price of the Dell S2522HG?
Well, it’s mainly due to its exclusive gaming features, most importantly, the DyAc+ (Dynamic Accuracy Plus) backlight strobing technology.
This Motion Blur Reduction implementation is much better than that of most monitors. First of all, it has a minimal picture brightness toll allowing you to enjoy a bright picture quality.
Secondly, there’s minimal strobe crosstalk up to ~180Hz strobed, so there won’t be any prominent double images or other distractions.
Indeed, the XL2546K resembles CRT displays when it comes to motion clarity due to the absence of motion blur, trailing and overshoot paired with low input lag.
Other gaming features include the S. Switch device which allows you to remotely make some quick adjustments to monitor settings, Black eQualizer (improves visibility in darker scenes), FreeSync up to 240Hz and Color Vibrance (color saturation presets).
There’s also the ‘XL Setting to Share’ feature which allows for easy import/export of the monitor’s settings among users.
Design & Connectivity
The monitor is designed with professional gameplay in mind.
You get a sturdy and fully ergonomic stand (155mm height adjustment, -5°/23° tilt, +/- 45° swivel, 90° pivot and 100x100mm VESA), which takes very little desk space.
Connectivity options include three HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.2 and a headphone jack.
Alternatives
The older version of this monitor, the BenQ XL2546S, offers the same performance and features, but with a different design.
ViewSonic XG2431
Best Motion Clarity
Size: 24”
Resolution: 1920×1080
Panel: IPS
VRR: FreeSync
G-SYNC: Stable
MBR: Yes
The Pros:
- Quick response time, low input lag
- AMD FreeSync and MBR up to 240Hz
- Impeccable MBR implementation
- Additional gaming features
- Fully ergonomic stand
- Vibrant colors and wide viewing angles
The Cons:
- IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology)
About The Monitor
The ViewSonic XG2431 was the first gaming monitor to receive the Blur Busters Approved 2.0 certification for its PureXP backlight strobing technology which implies superior performance, firmware updates and more.
Image Quality
Panel-related specifications include a 400-nit peak brightness, a static contrast ratio of 1,000:1, 8-bit color depth support, 1ms GtG response time speed and the standard sRGB color gamut.
So, you’re getting the same viewing experience as with the other ~24″ 1080p 240Hz IPS gaming monitors. It’s when we get to its impeccable MBR performance that things start to get interesting.
Features
The ViewSonic XG2431 supports AMD FreeSync with a 48-240Hz VRR range and offers stable VRR performance with NVIDIA cards.
Other gaming features are pretty standard and include pre-calibrated picture presets and Black Stabilization (for better visibility in darker games).
Its main feature, of course, is the PureXP backlight strobing technology approved and pre-tuned by Blur Busters, who popularized and helped develop Motion Blur Reduction in gaming monitors.
Backlight strobing on 240Hz monitors is most efficient when the display is set between 100Hz and 144Hz as there’s less strobe crosstalk (double images) than at 240Hz.
Note that a 240Hz monitor will have better MBR performance at 144Hz than a 144Hz display strobing at 144Hz, so the monitor’s high refresh rate isn’t going to waste here.
Now, when you set the ViewSonic XG2431 to 120Hz, enable PureXP, and ensure you’re getting ~120FPS (either by using V-SYNC or capped frame rates), you’ll get an incredible CRT-like motion clarity with no blur behind fast-moving objects.
It also supports strobing from 60Hz up to 240Hz and offers plenty of customization, allowing you to tune it just right for your preference.
What’s more, thanks to the monitor’s high peak brightness and vibrant colors, the image quality will also be excellent!
So, should you get the XG2431 or the XL2546K? The main advantage of the XL2546K is that it can get brighter while strobing (over 300-nits), while the XG2431 is limited to ~200-nits. However, it has inferior color quality and viewing angles, and it’s ~$200 more expensive. So, for most people, we’d recommend the XG2431.
Design & Connectivity
The ViewSonic XG2431 has a fully ergonomic stand with up to 120mm height adjustment, -5°/15° tilt, +/- 90° swivel, 90° pivot and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, a headphone jack, two 3W integrated speakers and a dual-USB 3.0 hub.
Samsung G7
1440p 240Hz & High Contrast Ratio!
Size: 27”, 32″
Resolution: 2560×1440
Panel: VA
VRR: FreeSync Premium Pro
G-SYNC: Compatible
MBR: Yes
The Pros:
- High contrast ratio and strong peak brightness
- Wide color gamut
- Plenty of features including FreeSync and MBR up to 240Hz
- Fully ergonomic stand and rich connectivity options
The Cons:
- 1000R curvature too steep for some users
- VRR Control option might cause micro-stuttering on some units
About The Monitor
The Samsung Odyssey G7 is a 1440p 240Hz display based on a curved VA panel with a high contrast ratio, wide viewing angles and vibrant colors.
It’s available as a 27″ model (Samsung C27G75T) and as a 32″ version (Samsung C32G75T).
Image Quality
On 27-inch monitors, the 1440p resolution provides a high 108 PPI pixel density, resulting in crisp details and text, plenty of screen space and no necessary scaling.
If you’re more interested in the 32-inch model, keep in mind that 1440p on 32″ monitors have the same pixel density as 24″ 1080p displays, so you’ll get the same detail clarity – but because the screen is bigger, the image quality will be more immersive and you get a bit more screen real estate.
Moving on, the Samsung G7 has a high static contrast ratio of 2,500:1, which results in significantly deeper blacks in comparison to IPS and TN monitors.
Best of all, in addition to its wide 95% DCI-P3 color gamut and wide 178° viewing angles, you also get a high peak brightness of 600-nits, so the image quality is a lot more immersive.
It’s also one of the rare VA panel monitors with a rapid 1ms GtG pixel response time speed. So, you won’t get any ghosting or smearing usually associated with VA displays.
Features
MBR is supported, but just like with all monitors mentioned in this guide (except for the ViewSonic XG2431 and the BenQ XL2546K), the strobing is not well optimized as the overdrive is locked to ‘Fastest’ which is the most aggressive mode.
So, unless you can maintain consistent 240FPS, you’ll get double images with fast-moving content.
Regardless, its GtG performance is very good, so you don’t have to rely on MBR for smooth gameplay.
The Samsung G7 has AMD’s FreeSync Premium Pro as well as NVIDIA’s G-SYNC Compatible certifications.
Other features include the standard gaming utilities such as custom crosshairs, pre-calibrated picture presets and Black Equalizer for better visibility in darker games.
For more information, check out our Samsung Odyssey G7 review.
Design & Connectivity
The design of the monitor includes a very aggressive 1000R screen curvature for added immersion while the stand is sturdy and offers a good range of ergonomics including up to 120mm height adjustment, +/- 15° swivel, -9°/13° tilt, 90° pivot and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
In order to reach 240Hz at 2560×1440 with 10-bit color, you will need a graphics card that supports DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC (Display Stream Compression) such as AMD’s RX 5xxx or NVIDIA’s GTX 16xx and RTX 20xx series or newer.
If you have an older graphics card, you’ll still be able to reach 240Hz at 1440p, but only with 8-bit color depth. You can also drop the refresh rate to 144Hz for 10-bit color.
Connectivity options include two DisplayPort 1.4 ports, an HDMI 2.0 port (max 144Hz), a headphone jack and a dual-USB 3.0 hub.
Gigabyte M27Q-X
Best 1440p 240Hz IPS Gaming Monitor
Size: 27″
Resolution: 2560×1440
Panel: IPS
VRR: FreeSync
G-SYNC: Stable
MBR: Yes
The Pros:
- Quick response time, low input lag
- Plenty of features, including FreeSync + MBR up to 240Hz
- Height-adjustable stand and rich connectivity options
- Adobe RGB gamut, high pixel density
The Cons:
- IPS glow and inferior contrast ratio to that of VA panels
About The Monitor
If you’d rather have a flat-screen 1440p 240Hz gaming monitor, check out the Gigabyte M27Q-X!
Image Quality
The M27Q-X uses an IPS panel by Sharp with a wide 97% Adobe RGB gamut (~140% sRGB size) for lifelike colors. There’s also a ~100% sRGB clamp, should you wish to view SDR content with accurate colors.
While the Gigabyte model offers punchier colors than the Samsung G7, it has a notably lower 1,000:1 contrast ratio, so blacks won’t be as deep.
Further, it has a lower 400-nit peak brightness, which is more than enough for SDR content, but the HDR viewing experience is not as immersive. The M27Q-X has VESA’s entry-level DisplayHDR 400 certification.
Features
The 1ms pixel response time speed efficiently eliminates all trailing behind fast-moving objects, though you will need to adjust the overdrive setting depending on your frame rate for optimal performance.
FreeSync is supported for tear-free gameplay up to 240FPS and VRR performance is smooth when using compatible NVIDIA GPUs.
There’s also a backlight strobing technology called Aim Stabilizer-Sync available that allows you to use VRR and MBR at the same time.
Other features include various picture presets, Black Equalizer, a refresh rate tracker and on-screen crosshairs.
So, which one should you choose between the Gigabyte M27Q-X and the Samsung C27G75T? The most obvious difference is flat vs curved screen, which comes down to personal preference.
The M27Q-X has more vibrant and consistent colors, wider viewing angles and smooth VRR performance with a well-implemented optional backlight strobing technology.
The Odyssey G7 has a higher contrast ratio for deeper blacks and no IPS glow, but due to the narrower viewing angles, some gamma/saturation shifts can be detected when watching the screen at certain angles. Further, variable refresh rate can introduce some micro-stuttering, depending on the game and frame rate.
Design & Connectivity
The Gigabyte M27Q-X monitor has a height-adjustable stand (up to 130mm) with tilt and VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports (limited to 144Hz), DisplayPort 1.4, USB-C (DP Alt Mode, 18W PD), two 2W built-in speakers, a headphone jack and a dual-USB 3.0 hub.
There’s also a built-in KVM switch and support for PiP/PbP.
LG 32GQ850
32″ 1440p 240Hz IPS Gaming Monitor
Size: 32″
Resolution: 2560×1440
Panel: IPS
VRR: FreeSync
G-SYNC: Compatible
The Pros:
- High peak brightness and wide color gamut (with sRGB mode)
- Quick response time, low input lag
- Plenty of features, including VRR up to 260Hz
- Ergonomic stand, USB hub
The Cons:
- Design lacks swivel option
- IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology, but A-TW polarizer helps minimize the issue)
- Only 16 dimming zones
About The Monitor
Want a 1440p 240Hz gaming monitor with a 32″ flat-screen panel? The LG 32GQ850 is for you! It’s even overclockable to 260Hz and has an A-TW polarizer that helps with IPS glow.
Image Quality
The 1440p resolution results in a lower pixel density on 32″ sized screens, so the image won’t be as sharp on the 32GQ850 as it is on 27″ 1440p displays, but the bigger screen can offer a more immersive gaming experience.
Next, the monitor has VESA’s DisplayHDR 600 certification, so the HDR image quality is a bit better as you get a higher 600-nit peak brightness and 16 dimming zones, while the 98% DCI-P3 color gamut ensures vibrant and saturated colors.
Features
Variable refresh rate is supported with both AMD’s FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA’s G-SYNC Compatible certification within the 48-260Hz dynamic range.
The LG 32GQ850 does not support Motion Blur Reduction. It has other common gaming features, such as Black Stabilizer and crosshair overlays.
Design & Connectivity
The LG 32GQ850 monitor has a robust stand with versatile ergonomics, including up to 110mm height adjustment, 90° clockwise pivot, -5°/15° tilt and VESA mount compatibility (100x100mm).
Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.1 ports, DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC support, a dual-USB 3.0 hub and a DTS headphone jack.
All three display inputs support 1440p 260Hz with 12-bit color depth. The monitor can also upscale to 4K 120Hz for the PS5 and Xbox Series S/X.
Samsung G9
49″ 5120×1440 240Hz Gaming Monitor
Size: 49″
Resolution: 5120×1440
Panel: VA
VRR: FreeSync Premium Pro
G-SYNC: Compatible
MBR: No
The Pros:
- High contrast ratio and pixel density
- Wide color gamut and strong peak brightness
- Plenty of features including FreeSync up to 240Hz
- Ergonomic stand and rich connectivity options
The Cons:
- Only 10 dimming zones
- Some overshoot at 220 – 240FPS when VRR is enabled
About The Monitor
Do you want the most immersive gaming experience possible while at the same time keeping the fluidity of 240Hz?
There’s the Samsung Odyssey C49G95T.
Image Quality
Here’s the deal: this behemoth of a monitor has a 49″ sized screen with a 5120×1440 Dual Quad HD resolution. That’s equivalent to two 27″ 1440p monitors side by side, but without the gap in between them!
Just like the G7 series, the Samsung G9 is based on a VA panel with a steep 1000R curvature, 2,500:1 contrast ratio, wide 95% DCI-P3 color gamut and rapid 1ms GtG pixel response time.
Additionally, it has a higher peak brightness of 1,000-nits for even punchier highlights in HDR content.
Features
AMD FreeSync Premium Pro is supported as well as NVIDIA’s G-SYNC Compatible mode with a 60-240Hz VRR range.
Gaming features such as custom crosshair overlays, Black Equalizer and various picture presets are available as well.
For more information, visit our detailed Samsung Odyssey G9 review.
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the monitor can be adjusted by up to 120mm vertically, +/- 15° horizontally, tilted by -5°/15° or mounted via the 100x100mm VESA pattern.
Connectivity options include two DisplayPort 1.4 inputs, an HDMI 2.0 port (max 60Hz at 5120×1440, 120Hz at 3840×1080), a headphone jack and a dual-USB 3.0 hub.
You will need a GPU that supports DP 1.4 DSC to take full advantage (240Hz at 5120×1440) of the monitor. With older cards, you’ll be limited to 120Hz at 5120×1440.
Alternatives
Keep in mind that you can get the Dell AW3423DW at this price range. It has a 34″ 3440×1440 175Hz panel, but uses QD-OLED technology for significantly better HDR image quality and smoother performance.
Samsung Neo G9
Best HDR UltraWide Gaming Monitor
Size: 49″
Resolution: 5120×1440
Panel: VA
VRR: FreeSync Premium Pro
G-SYNC: Stable
MBR: No
The Pros:
- High contrast ratio and pixel density
- Wide color gamut and strong peak brightness
- Amazing HDR image quality
- Plenty of features including FreeSync up to 240Hz
- Ergonomic stand and rich connectivity options
The Cons:
- Expensive
About The Monitor
The newer Odyssey Neo G9 model improves upon the original model by implementing a 2048-zone full-array local dimming solution for superior HDR image quality.
Image Quality
For the most part, the Neo G9 is similar to the older version. You get the same 49″ 5120×1440 1000R curved screen with a high 240Hz refresh rate and a rapid 1ms GtG pixel response time speed for both immersive and responsive gameplay.
However, the Neo G9 has 2048 dimming zones that can individually dim parts of the screen where the image is supposed to be dark without greatly affecting parts that should remain bright, thus significantly boosting the contrast ratio.
Moreover, it’s capable of reaching up to 1,000-nits of brightness for small window sizes, delivering a true HDR experience with deep blacks and bright highlights.
Features
It supports FreeSync with a 96-240Hz VRR range and its overdrive is a bit better optimized for less overshoot at high frame rates. While there’s no official G-SYNC Compatible certification (yet), VRR works well with NVIDIA GPUs.
Other features include PiP/PbP, Black Equalizer, crosshair overlays and various picture presets.
Design & Connectivity
The stand is quite robust and offers height adjustment up to 120mm, -5°/15° tilt, +/- 15° swivel and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC, two HDMI 2.1 ports (limited to 144Hz), a headphone jack and a dual-USB 3.0 hub.
Alternatives
Keep in mind that you can get the Dell AW3423DW for basically half the price. It has a 34″ 3440×1440 175Hz panel, but uses QD-OLED technology for significantly better HDR image quality and smoother performance.
Samsung Neo G8
Samsung offers a 32″ 4K 240Hz curved gaming monitor with a 1096-zone mini LED FALD backlight, the Neo G8. However, it has noticeable scanline issues.
The Neo G7 has a lower 165Hz refresh rate, but no such issue and it’s also more affordable. Considering how demanding it is to drive 4K 240Hz, we find that the Neo G7 is a lot better option.
Conclusion
Did you find the perfect 240Hz gaming monitor?
Feel free to leave us a comment below if you’re not sure which one to pick, and we’ll help you out!
Overall, the Dell S2522HG offers incredible value for money as it offers professional-level performance even to players on a budget.
For the fans of CRT-like motion clarity, we recommend waiting for the ViewSonic XG2431, while those who are searching for something a bit more exotic certainly won’t be disappointed by either one of Samsung’s Odyssey G9 or G7 models. In case you prefer something with a flat screen, the Gigabyte M27Q-X and the Acer XB373UGX displays are both great as well.
Changelog +
- November 22, 2022:
– Checked up on the guide to ensure that our picks are still the best options available. - October 20, 2022:
– Replaced the Acer XB323UGX with the LG 32GQ850.
– Added the Samsung Neo G7 and G8 as alternatives for the Neo G9. - April 20, 2022:
– Replaced the ASUS XG27AQM with the Gigabyte M27Q-X. - March 14, 2022:
– Checked up on the guide to ensure that our picks are still the best options available. - December 14, 2021
– Added review summaries for the monitors that were missing them. - November 25, 2021:
– Replaced the ViewSonic XG270 with the XG2431. - September 30, 2021:
– Replaced the Acer XB273UGX with the ASUS XG27AQM. - August 19, 2021:
– Replaced the ASUS VG259QM with Dell S2522HG.
– Removed the Acer XF250Q and the Acer XF252Q (no longer available).
– Added the Acer XB323UGX and the Samsung Neo G9.
– Replaced the Acer XV272UX with the Acer XB273UGX. - May 30, 2021:
– Improved readability. - December 24, 2020:
– Replaced the Dell AW2721D with the Acer XV272UX. - December 10, 2020:
– Added the Dell AW2721D.