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For the lowest-cost competitive setup, buy a 24-inch 1080p 240Hz monitor such as the Dell SE2426HGS. It combines the refresh rate most competitive players seek with a resolution that is comparatively easy for a mid-range graphics card to render. If you prefer a balanced 1080p IPS display, the BenQ MOBIUZ EX240 runs at 165Hz. For sharper text and game detail, step up to 1440p only when your system can sustain very high frame rates; the LG 27GR83Q-B offers 240Hz, while the LG UltraGear G6 reaches 300Hz for systems capable of competitive-level frame rates.
Refresh rate alone does not determine a monitor’s value. Resolution, the frame rate your GPU can actually deliver, variable-refresh-rate support, response behavior, panel quality, connectivity and the monitor’s current price all matter. The recommendations below separate those trade-offs so you can match a screen to your hardware instead of paying for unused refresh capacity.
Quick recommendations
| Use case | Monitor | Key specification | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost competitive setup | Dell SE2426HGS | 24-inch, 1080p, 240Hz, VRR support | High refresh at a resolution that is easier to drive at very high frame rates |
| Balanced 1080p value | BenQ MOBIUZ EX240 | 24-inch IPS, 1080p, 165Hz, Adaptive Sync | Good compromise between speed, image quality and GPU demand |
| Affordable 1440p at 240Hz | LG 27GR83Q-B | 27-inch, 1440p, 240Hz | Sharper image without moving to an expensive flagship tier; HDR and picture quality are weaker than some rivals |
| Highest refresh in this group | LG UltraGear G6 | 27-inch, 1440p IPS, 300Hz | For a PC that can keep competitive games near 300 frames per second |
| Large 1080p screen | Acer Nitro KG273 W3bip | 27-inch IPS, 1080p, 240Hz, 0.5ms claimed | Large and fast, but 1080p is less dense at 27 inches |
| Low-cost 27-inch 240Hz option | Dell SE2726HG | 27-inch IPS, 240Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium | Reported 300-nit brightness and broad connectivity; verify the current price and regional model |
RTINGS’ 2026 coverage identifies the Dell SE2426HGS as a low-cost 1080p 240Hz model aimed at competitive gaming. PC Gamer’s 2026 guide names the BenQ MOBIUZ EX240 its best budget high-refresh monitor and notes that 1080p helps less powerful GPUs reach high refresh rates. RTINGS’ under-$300 coverage includes the LG 27GR83Q-B as an affordable 1440p 240Hz choice, while PC Gamer describes the LG UltraGear G6 as a 27-inch 1440p 300Hz IPS display for systems that can produce competitive-level frame rates.
What makes a high-refresh monitor good for competitive gaming?
A monitor’s refresh rate is the number of times it can update the image each second. At 165Hz, a new frame can appear every 6.06 milliseconds; 240Hz reduces that interval to 4.17ms, and 300Hz to 3.33ms. Those differences are relevant in fast mouse movements and rapidly changing scenes, but only when the game is rendering enough frames to supply the display.
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Competitive monitors also need consistent pixel transitions. A product’s advertised “0.5ms” or “1ms” figure usually describes a particular overdrive mode and test condition, not every transition at every refresh rate. Look for independent measurements of response behavior and overshoot. Excessive overdrive can create bright inverse trails behind moving objects, while a conservative mode can leave visible blur even if the box advertises an exceptionally small number.
Variable refresh rate (VRR) synchronizes the panel’s refresh timing with changing frame rates. FreeSync, G-SYNC compatibility and Adaptive Sync are different implementations of the same basic goal: reducing tearing and judder when frame delivery is not perfectly steady. VRR is especially useful when a game fluctuates below the monitor’s maximum refresh rate.
Best speed-first budget pick: Dell SE2426HGS
Why it is the starting point
The Dell SE2426HGS is a 24-inch 1080p display with a 240Hz maximum refresh rate and VRR support. That combination targets the central requirement of competitive PC gaming: a fast update cycle without asking the graphics card to render a 1440p image. RTINGS’ 2026 recommendation specifically positions it as a low-cost 1080p option for competitive play.
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- Players whose priority is the highest practical frame rate per dollar.
- Owners of a GPU that reaches very high frame rates more readily at 1080p than at 1440p.
- Players who sit close to a compact 24-inch screen and do not need the extra desktop space of a 27-inch panel.
What you give up
1080p is less sharp than 1440p at the same physical size, and a 24-inch screen provides less workspace than a 27-inch model. The monitor’s value is therefore concentrated in speed rather than image detail. If you mostly play slower single-player games, the 240Hz capability may be less important than resolution, contrast or HDR quality.
Best balanced 1080p value: BenQ MOBIUZ EX240
Specifications that matter
The BenQ MOBIUZ EX240 is a 24-inch 1080p IPS monitor rated at 165Hz with Adaptive Sync. PC Gamer’s 2026 budget high-refresh guide selects it as a value leader because 1080p is easier for affordable GPUs to drive at high frame rates, while the IPS panel provides broad viewing angles. HDR support is limited, so it should be treated primarily as an SDR gaming display.
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When 165Hz is enough
165Hz already cuts the frame interval substantially compared with 60Hz or 75Hz. It is a sensible choice when your games usually run around the mid-to-high hundreds rather than close to 240 frames per second, or when the EX240 costs meaningfully less than a 240Hz alternative. Buying a lower maximum refresh that your system can feed consistently is preferable to paying for a higher limit that is rarely reached.
Best affordable 1440p 240Hz alternative: LG 27GR83Q-B
Why choose 1440p
At 27 inches, 1440p provides a denser image than 1080p: text, distant targets and interface elements look more defined while the larger panel gives you more physical viewing area. The LG 27GR83Q-B combines that resolution with a 240Hz refresh rate and appears in RTINGS’ under-$300 coverage as a budget-friendly option.
The GPU requirement
Rendering 1440p requires more work than rendering 1080p. The same graphics card and game settings can therefore produce a lower frame rate at 1440p. Before choosing this monitor, measure your actual frame rates in the games you play and decide whether sharper detail is worth reducing your frame-rate headroom. RTINGS notes that this model’s HDR and overall picture quality are weaker than some competing displays, so it is primarily a high-refresh esports monitor rather than an HDR showcase.
Best high-FPS 1440p deal candidate: LG UltraGear G6
PC Gamer’s 2026 deal coverage describes the LG UltraGear G6 as a 27-inch 1440p IPS display with a 300Hz refresh rate. Its purpose is narrower than that of a general-purpose 1440p monitor: it makes sense for a system and game combination capable of producing competitive-level frame rates near the panel’s ceiling. If your frame rate spends most of the match well below 240fps, the extra 60Hz over a 240Hz model will not be fully used.
A 300Hz monitor also does not make a slow game engine, CPU bottleneck or inconsistent frame pacing disappear. Consider it when you already have the hardware headroom and want the shortest possible refresh interval at 1440p, not as a way to create performance that your PC cannot deliver.
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Other affordable 240Hz choices
Acer Nitro KG273 W3bip
The Acer Nitro KG273 W3bip is a larger 27-inch 1080p IPS monitor rated at 240Hz. Acer claims a 0.5ms response time, but that figure should be interpreted as a mode-dependent specification rather than a guarantee for every transition. The 1080p resolution is easier to render than 1440p, while the 27-inch size gives you a larger image; the trade-off is lower pixel density than a 24-inch 1080p screen.
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The Dell SE2726HG is a 27-inch IPS 240Hz monitor with AMD FreeSync Premium. Tom’s Hardware reported a 300-nit brightness rating, two HDMI 2.1 ports and DisplayPort 1.4. Those ports provide useful flexibility, but confirm the exact regional suffix and included cable before purchase. Tom’s Hardware also reported a 5ms standard response specification that can reportedly be reduced to 0.5ms in an “extreme” mode; the faster figure should not be treated as a universal measured result.
Observed sale prices
Prices move quickly and differ by country, retailer and model suffix. The following figures are dated observations, not permanent street prices:
| Model | Reported price | Source and date context |
|---|---|---|
| Dell SE2726HG | $129.99 introductory price | Tom’s Hardware report, 2025 |
| Acer Nitro KG273 W3bip | $139.99 sale price | PC Gamer deal roundup, 2026 |
| Alienware AW2525HM | $189.99 sale price | PC Gamer deal roundup, 2026; full specification details were not established here |
| LG UltraGear G6 | $209.99 sale price | PC Gamer deal roundup, 2026 |
Check stock and the current price on 20 October 2026, or immediately before publication or purchase. A sale can change the recommendation: a discounted 1440p 240Hz model may be better value than a full-price 1080p screen, while a short-lived introductory price should not be treated as the normal cost.
1080p or 1440p for esports?
Choose 1080p when frame rate is the priority
- Your GPU struggles to maintain high frame rates at 1440p.
- You play titles where low latency and consistent frame pacing matter more than fine image detail.
- You are buying the least expensive route to 240Hz.
- You prefer a compact 24-inch screen and sit close to it.
Choose 1440p when clarity and workspace matter
- Your GPU and CPU can sustain the frame rates you want at 1440p.
- You also use the monitor for text, creation or general desktop work.
- You want a 27-inch image with sharper edges and more visible detail.
- You accept a higher purchase price and potentially lower peak frame rates.
There is no universal “competitive” resolution. Some players deliberately use 1080p to maximize frame-rate headroom; others prefer the clearer 1440p image and are willing to tune settings or use a stronger GPU. The correct choice is the one that keeps your frame rate stable while meeting your preferred level of detail.
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What refresh rate can your GPU actually drive?
The monitor cannot increase the number of frames your PC renders. To determine whether 165Hz, 240Hz or 300Hz is realistic, measure the game rather than relying on the monitor’s specification.
- Install the monitor and connect it with DisplayPort or an HDMI connection that supports the desired resolution and refresh rate. Use the cable supplied with the monitor when possible.
- Enable the game’s frame-rate counter or a trusted system overlay.
- Play a representative match or repeatable training section for several minutes. Record the average, the frequent lows and the frame-time graph if available; a high average with severe dips can feel less consistent than a lower, steadier result.
- Repeat the test at 1080p and 1440p with the settings you actually intend to use. Competitive presets often lower shadows, effects and other GPU-heavy options.
- Compare the result with the monitor’s refresh ceiling. A 240Hz panel is most useful when your game can approach 240fps for substantial portions of play; a 300Hz panel requires similar headroom to justify its premium.
CPU limits can prevent a game from reaching high frame rates even when the GPU is not fully loaded. If lowering resolution barely changes the frame rate, investigate the CPU, game engine, background processes and frame cap before buying a faster monitor.
How to configure a new high-refresh monitor
- Open Windows Settings, choose System, then Display and Advanced display. Select the monitor and choose its highest supported refresh rate.
- In the monitor’s on-screen display, select the gaming or refresh-rate menu and enable Adaptive Sync, FreeSync or the equivalent VRR option.
- In your graphics driver, enable the compatible VRR mode for that display. The exact label varies between GPU vendors.
- Start with the monitor’s standard or normal response setting. Test moving objects and scrolling text, then increase overdrive only if it reduces blur without producing bright inverse trails.
- Set an in-game frame limit when necessary. A cap that keeps frame delivery stable within the VRR range can feel smoother than an uncapped rate that repeatedly hits a CPU or GPU limit.
- Confirm that the game is running on the dedicated GPU, not an integrated graphics processor, and that no battery-saving mode is restricting performance.
Buying checklist: the details that decide value
Panel and image quality
IPS panels, used by the BenQ MOBIUZ EX240, LG UltraGear G6, Acer Nitro KG273 W3bip and Dell SE2726HG, generally offer broad viewing angles. OLED panels can provide deeper blacks and extremely fast response, but they usually cost more and are not represented by the budget models in this shortlist. Treat HDR labels carefully: the EX240 has limited HDR, and the LG 27GR83Q-B is noted for weaker HDR and picture quality than some rivals.
Response behavior
Read independent measurements where available. A single best-case response number does not tell you how the monitor behaves across dark-to-light and light-to-dark transitions, nor whether aggressive overdrive causes overshoot. Use the mode that gives the cleanest motion in your games, not necessarily the mode with the smallest number printed on the box.
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VRR range and compatibility
Verify that the monitor supports the VRR technology your graphics card can use. FreeSync, G-SYNC compatibility and Adaptive Sync can reduce tearing when frame rates vary, but the useful operating range and connection requirements differ by model. Confirm the range in the manual or specification page for the exact regional model.
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Ports and stand
Check whether the stand provides the height, tilt, swivel or pivot adjustment you need; a monitor arm can solve some limitations but adds cost. Confirm the number and type of HDMI and DisplayPort inputs. Tom’s Hardware lists two HDMI 2.1 ports and DisplayPort 1.4 for the Dell SE2726HG, but other models and regional suffixes may differ.
Size and viewing distance
A 24-inch 1080p monitor has a tighter pixel pitch than a 27-inch 1080p model, while 27-inch 1440p restores greater image density and workspace. Measure your desk depth and viewing distance before choosing size. A larger panel is not automatically easier to track if you sit very close to it.
Common mistakes and fixes
Paying for 240Hz when the PC produces 120fps
Fix this by measuring frame rates in the games you actually play. If the system remains well below 240fps, consider a 165Hz model or upgrade the GPU and CPU first.
Assuming the advertised response time is universal
Switch from the fastest overdrive mode to normal, then compare moving edges. Tom’s Hardware’s Dell example illustrates why: a 5ms standard specification and a reportedly selectable 0.5ms extreme mode describe different conditions.
Buying 27-inch 1080p for sharp text
A 27-inch 1080p display can be attractive for its size and price, but it has lower pixel density than 24-inch 1080p or 27-inch 1440p. Choose it for viewing distance and budget, not for maximum clarity.
Ignoring the connection
If the monitor is stuck at 60Hz, check Windows’ Advanced display setting, the cable, the selected input and the GPU driver. Some combinations of resolution, refresh rate and connector have different limits.
Running VRR and an extreme overdrive mode without testing
Enable VRR, then inspect fast motion in an actual game. If you see flicker, pulsing or inverse ghosting, try another overdrive level, a stable frame cap or the manufacturer’s recommended VRR settings.
Which monitor should you buy?
Choose the Dell SE2426HGS when the goal is the least expensive credible path to 240Hz competitive gaming. Choose the BenQ MOBIUZ EX240 when 165Hz, IPS image quality and easier GPU requirements provide the better balance. Choose the LG 27GR83Q-B when you can sustain high frame rates at 1440p and want sharper 27-inch detail. Choose the LG UltraGear G6 only when your system can feed a 300Hz 1440p panel; otherwise, its extra refresh capacity is unlikely to change play. The Acer Nitro KG273 W3bip and Dell SE2726HG are worth considering when a current sale makes a 27-inch 240Hz screen fit your budget, provided you accept the image-density and response-mode trade-offs.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
