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If you want an affordable 1080p gaming monitor, start with the LG 24GS65F-B: it pairs a 24-inch IPS screen with a 180Hz refresh rate for a balanced mix of smooth motion and everyday usability. Choose the Dell SE2426HGS if you put a higher refresh rate first, or consider the Lenovo Legion R25F-30 for a 280Hz option. These are US-focused recommendations, not universal winners: check the exact regional model, current price, and stock before buying.
Why buy a budget 1080p gaming monitor?
A 24-inch 1080p display can be a practical fit for a limited budget, a smaller desk, or a gaming PC aimed at high frame rates rather than higher resolution. The lower pixel count can also make high frame rates more attainable than on a higher-resolution display, depending on the game and hardware.
Prices and availability change, and the reviewed recommendations account for US availability. No stable live price is established for any of the models below. Compare current listings for the exact model and suffix in your region rather than relying on an old sale price. TechSpot describes 24-inch 1080p 144Hz IPS monitors as available for around $100 in 2026, but that is category-level context, not a verified price for these specific picks (TechSpot’s 2026 gaming monitor guide).
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Which 1080p gaming monitor should you choose?
LG 24GS65F-B: balanced 180Hz pick
The LG 24GS65F-B is a 24-inch IPS monitor with a 1920 × 1080 resolution and a maximum 180Hz refresh rate, according to RTINGS’ US-focused roundup, updated October 2, 2026. RTINGS describes its response time as fast enough for gaming, with minimal blur behind fast-moving objects. It is the most balanced starting point here if you want a high refresh rate without choosing solely for the largest number on the specification sheet.
#1 Best Overall
- 【INTEGRATED SPEAKERS】Whether you're at work or in the midst of an intense gaming session, our built-in speakers provide rich and seamless audio, all while keeping your desk clutter-free.
- 【EASY ON THE EYES】 Protect your eyes and enhance your comfort with Blue-Light Shift technology. This feature reduces harmful blue light emissions from your screen, helping to alleviate eye strain during long hours of use and promoting healthier viewing habits.
- 【WIDEN YOUR PERSPECTIVE】Our sleek minimal bezel design ensures undivided attention. The nearly bezel-free display seamlessly connects in a dual monitor arrangement, delivering an unobstructed view that lets you focus on more at once, completely distraction-free.
The tradeoffs are lower brightness than the Dell Alienware comparison in RTINGS’ review and no USB ports. Those are reviewer findings, not hands-on measurements for this article. Confirm the exact variant on LG’s US product page and in the retailer listing.
Dell SE2426HGS: prioritize 240Hz
The Dell SE2426HGS is a 24-inch IPS LCD with 1920 × 1080 resolution and a 240Hz maximum refresh rate. RTINGS calls it its “Best Cheap 1080p Monitor” and says it offers smoother gaming with less blur while supporting common variable refresh rate (VRR) formats, including with PS5 and PS5 Pro. The higher refresh rate is most relevant if your PC or console and games can deliver high frame rates.
Rank #2
- 23.8" Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen VA Monitor | AMD FreeSync Premium Technology
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz | Response Time: 1ms (VRB) | Pixel Pitch: 0.275mm | Color Saturation: NTSC 72%
- Zero-Frame Design | HDR Ready
- VESA mounting compliant (100 x 100mm) | Ergonomic Tilt: -5° to 15°
- Ports: 1 x Display Port 1.2 and 2 x HDMI 2.0 (HDMI Cable Included)
RTINGS notes that the Dell is less bright, handles reflections slightly worse, and displays fewer colors than the LG 24GS65F-B; its stand also cannot rotate the screen vertically. Consider it when refresh rate matters more to you than those image and stand tradeoffs.
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TechRadar’s 2026 guide lists the Legion R25F-30 as a 24.5-inch VA monitor with 1920 × 1080 resolution, a 280Hz refresh rate, 350 nits brightness, and 3,000:1 contrast. The guide also identifies AMD FreeSync Premium support and positions it as an affordable, performance-focused option. It flags limited ports, weak speakers, and a plain design as drawbacks.
Rank #3
- MSI's 23.8-inch Full HD IPS gaming monitor (1920×1080) delivers a 1500:1 contrast ratio with wide 178°/178° viewing angles — producing deeper blacks, brighter highlights, and accurate colors from virtually any position for gaming and productivity.
- TÜV Rheinland certified Flicker Free and Low Blue Light — eliminating the ~200Hz screen flicker common on standard monitors and reducing harmful blue light exposure to minimize eye strain during extended gaming or work sessions.
- 144Hz high refresh rate delivers ultra-smooth motion and sharper tracking versus standard 60Hz or 75Hz monitors — keeping every frame fluid and responsive for fast-paced FPS, racing, and action games without screen tearing or stuttering.
- MSI's built-in Eye-Q Check provides a vision assessment tool to help optimize display settings for healthier long-term viewing — designed for professionals and students spending extended hours in front of a Full HD IPS screen.
- Tilt-adjustable stand (-5°~20°) for comfortable viewing at any desk setup, with VESA 100×100mm wall mount compatibility for monitor arms, brackets, and multi-monitor arrangements — reducing neck strain during long gaming or work sessions.
Do not treat the listed response-time figure as directly comparable to independent pixel-response testing: it is an MPRT-style figure. A high refresh-rate label alone does not establish how quickly pixels transition in real use.
How to compare budget 1080p monitors before buying
- Check the exact listing: Match the model name and regional suffix, then verify the current price, stock, included inputs, and return terms. Retail prices and availability move quickly.
- Match refresh rate to your system: 180Hz is already a high refresh rate for many players. The Dell’s 240Hz or Lenovo’s 280Hz is more useful when your hardware can produce correspondingly high frame rates in the games you play.
- Look beyond the refresh-rate number: Refresh rate describes how often the display can update; it does not by itself prove fast pixel transitions or low blur. Use independent response-behavior assessments where available.
- Consider the room and content: Compare brightness and reflection handling for your lighting, and color and contrast for the games or other work you do. Budget models may trade away brightness or color performance.
- Check VRR and connections: Confirm that the monitor’s adaptive-sync support works with your particular graphics card or console, and that its available ports suit your devices.
- Inspect the stand and extras: Check whether height and rotation adjustments, USB ports, speakers, and the input selection you need are included. Low-cost displays can omit convenience features.
- Think about screen size: These recommendations are around 24 inches. A 27-inch 1080p monitor may look less crisp at a typical desk distance, so consider screen size and viewing distance together.
When to consider 1440p instead
If you can spend more and want a sharper image, compare current budget 1440p monitors before settling on 1080p. TechSpot’s 2026 guide makes the broader case that a budget 1440p option may be a better long-term choice; the right tradeoff depends on current prices and whether your system can drive the resolution at the frame rates you want.
Rank #4
- High-Performance Display: 24.5-inch Full HD (1920x1080) Fast IPS gaming monitor with overclock to 310Hz refresh rate designed for professional gamers and immersive gameplay
- Ultra-Fast Response Time: ASUS Fast IPS technology enables a 0.3ms (GTG) response time(min.) for sharp gaming visuals with high frame rates
- Adaptive Sync Technology: FreeSync Premium and G-Sync compatible delivers a seamless, tear-free gaming experience
- Advanced Motion Blur Reduction: ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync (ELMB SYNC) technology enables ELMB together with variable refresh rate, eliminating ghosting and tearing for sharp gaming visuals with high frame rates
- Convenient Monitor Control: DisplayWidget Center enables easy OSD access and monitor settings adjustments with a mouse
What about the AOC 24G4?
TechSpot’s February 9, 2024 review describes the AOC 24G4 as an entry-level 1080p gaming monitor and a successor in AOC’s 24G line. That review provides useful product context, but it is older than the 2026 recommendation pages and does not establish a current top-pick ranking. Check recent availability and pricing before treating it as an alternative.
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RTINGS says its 2026 recommendations are US-focused and take review results, visitor feedback, price, and availability into account; its update log records an October 2, 2026 update. Its listed specifications and comparative performance judgments are reviewer findings. TechRadar supplies the Lenovo specifications and tradeoffs cited above, while TechSpot supplies category context and the older AOC review. This article does not claim independent hands-on testing.
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.
