The ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A is a decent budget monitor with great gaming performance. It's an IPS monitor with a 24 inch screen and 1080p resolution. Its motion handling is amazing thanks to its 165Hz refresh rate and superb response times. It has both FreeSync support and G-SYNC compatibility, resulting in a nearly tear-free gaming experience. Its smaller screen size is okay for work if you only have one or two windows open at a time, but it's not ideal for multitasking. Also, it's hard to place the screen in a comfortable viewing position because the stand only allows for tilt adjustment. It isn't recommended for content creation because it doesn't quite cover the entire sRGB color space, and yellows look inaccurate, even after calibration.
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A is decent for most uses. It's great for gaming because it has a low input lag, a high refresh rate, and superb response times. It also has FreeSync support and G-SYNC compatibility to reduce screen tearing. The smaller screen size and 1080p resolution are somewhat limiting for work and media consumption because there's less space for multitasking, and it doesn't feel as immersive. It isn't recommended for content creation because it doesn't have full sRGB coverage, and it has trouble displaying yellows accurately, even after calibration. Lastly, it doesn't support HDR at all.
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A is decent for office use. It has a relatively small screen, which should be fine if you only work with one or two windows open at a time, but it might not be enough for heavy multitasking. It handles reflections very well, but its screen brightness is on the lower side, which means it might not be able to overcome intense glare in a bright, sunny room. Unfortunately, the stand only allows for tilt adjustment. The viewing angles are good enough for sharing content with others as long as image accuracy isn't a priority.
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A is great for gaming. It has incredibly low input lag, a 165Hz refresh rate, and superb response times to deliver amazingly responsive gameplay. Its compact screen size isn't super immersive, but it does make it easier to see the entire screen at once. Likewise, its 1080p resolution might be disappointing for some, but it puts a lighter load on the graphics card so that you can get higher frame rates. The ergonomics are terrible, which makes it hard to get a comfortable viewing position. Also, it isn't ideal for gaming in the dark due to its low contrast ratio.
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A is okay for media consumption. It has a compact screen and a 1080p resolution, which should be fine for watching videos online. However, it doesn't provide a particularly immersive experience when watching movies, and it has a low contrast ratio that makes blacks appear gray in the dark. It's hard to place the screen in a comfortable viewing position because it has terrible ergonomics. While it has relatively good viewing angles, colors begin to fade pretty quickly when moving off-center.
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A isn't ideal for media creation. It has a relatively small screen, which means you don't get much space to work with, and its resolution is limited to 1080p. Also, it doesn't have full sRGB coverage, and it has trouble displaying yellows accurately, even after calibration. The ergonomics are terrible because it only allows for tilt adjustment, and the screen doesn't get very bright, so it might not be able to combat intense glare.
We tested the 23.8" ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A monitor, but there's also a 27" version called the VG279Q1A, which we expect to perform very similarly. There are also other monitors with similar specifications in the TUF Gaming lineup, some of which you can see in the table below.
Model | Size | Panel Type | Resolution | Max Refresh Rate | HDR | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VG249Q1A | 23.8" | IPS | 1080p | 165Hz | No | |
VG247Q1A | 23.8" | VA | 1080p | 165Hz | No | |
VG247QR1A | 23.8" | VA | 1080p | 165Hz | No | Sold at Best Buy |
VG279Q1A | 27" | IPS | 1080p | 165Hz | No | |
VG279AQ1A | 27" | IPS | 1440p | 170Hz | Yes | |
VG289Q1A | 28" | IPS | 4k | 60Hz | Yes |
If you come across a different type of panel or your ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A doesn't correspond to our review, let us know, and we'll update the review. Note that some tests, like gray uniformity, may vary between individual units.
Our unit was manufactured in January 2021; you can see the label here.
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A is a decent budget monitor. It's very similar to the Acer Nitro XF243Y Pbmiiprx in terms of gaming performance, but it has worse ergonomics, and it doesn't get as bright to combat glare. It's still one of the better choices in this price range, as long as you don't mind the inaccurate yellows.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best 24-25 inch monitors, the best 1080p monitors, and the best budget monitors.
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A and the Gigabyte M27Q are very different. The ASUS is a 24" model with a 1080p resolution, while the Gigabyte is a 27" with a 1440p resolution. The latter's larger screen size and higher resolution make it more versatile and better suited for work and media consumption. Gaming-wise, the ASUS has better response times, which results in less blur trail behind fast-moving objects. The Gigabyte supports HDR and has a much wider color gamut, and it also gets a lot brighter to combat glare. It also has more features, like a Picture-in-Picture mode and a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alt Mode.
The AOC 24G2 and the ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A are similar 24" 1080p gaming monitors. Despite the AOC scoring higher, the ASUS performs better gaming-wise because it has a slightly higher refresh rate of 165Hz and better response times. The ASUS' main drawback is its terrible ergonomics, making it hard to place the screen in a comfortable viewing position. The AOC's ergonomics are much better, and it also gets brighter to combat glare.
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A and the ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A are great gaming monitors but with different specs. The VG249Q1A has a 24" screen with a 1080p resolution, while the VG279AQL1A has a 27" screen with a 1440p resolution. Gaming-wise, the VG249Q1A delivers a better experience because it has much better response times. On the other hand, the VG279AQL1A has significantly better ergonomics, whereas the VG249Q1A only allows for tilt adjustment. The VG279AQL1A has wider viewing angles, gets brighter, and supports HDR.
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG259Qm is much better than the ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A for gaming. It has a significantly higher refresh rate of 280Hz, resulting in smoother motion and better responsiveness. However, the VG259QM has slower response times and a higher input lag at 60Hz, so it's not as ideal for 60fps console gaming. That said, it's better suited for productivity than the VG249Q1A because it has a bigger screen, much better ergonomics, and provides better visibility in well-lit settings. It supports HDR, whereas the VG249Q1A doesn't, but it doesn't add much because it can't display a wide color gamut.
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A and the Acer Nitro XF243Y Pbmiiprx are IPS gaming monitors with a 24" screen, 1080p resolution, and a 165Hz refresh rate. While they both provide a great gaming experience, the ASUS does have slightly better response times at max refresh rate, resulting in a clearer image in fast-moving scenes. On the other hand, the Acer has significantly better ergonomics, whereas the ASUS only allows for tilt adjustment. The Acer also gets brighter to combat glare in well-lit environments. It has HDR support, which the ASUS lacks, but it can't display a wide color gamut.
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A and the LG 27GL850-B are both gaming monitors but with very different specs. The ASUS has a 1080p resolution and a 165Hz refresh rate, while the LG has a 1440p resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. The ASUS' slightly higher refresh rate and better response times provide a marginally better gaming experience, but its smaller screen size and lower resolution make it less ideal for work and media consumption. The LG has significantly better ergonomics, but it still doesn't allow for swivel adjustment.
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A and the Dell S2721DGF are great gaming monitors with a 165Hz refresh rate, but the ASUS has a 24 inch screen with a 1080p resolution, while the Dell has a 27 inch screen with a 1440p resolution. They're very similar in terms of gaming performance; the main differences are in the features. The Dell has USB ports, significantly better ergonomics, and it gets a lot brighter to combat glare. It also supports HDR and a wide color gamut.
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A and the MSI Optix G27C6 both have a 1080p resolution and a 165Hz refresh rate, but the ASUS has a 24" IPS panel, while the MSI has a 27" VA panel. For the most part, the ASUS performs a lot better because it has significantly faster response times. The MSI is better for dark room gaming due to its much higher contrast ratio, but it isn't as ideal for sharing content as the ASUS because it has narrower viewing angles. If you often game in a bright environment, the ASUS has better reflection handling, but it doesn't get as bright as the MSI.
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A and the HP X24ih are very similar gaming monitors. They both have a 24" IPS screen with a 1080p resolution and a native 144Hz refresh rate, except that you can overclock the ASUS up to 165Hz. The ASUS has slightly faster response times, but the difference is pretty small and likely not noticeable to most people. The HP is better in terms of usability because it has wider viewing angles, gets brighter to combat glare, and its stand provides a lot more ergonomic adjustments.
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A and the ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV are very different monitors. The VG249Q1A is a gaming monitor with a 24" screen, a 1080p resolution, and a 165Hz refresh rate, while the ProArt Display PA278QV is a 27" productivity monitor with a 1440p resolution and a 75Hz refresh rate. The VG249Q1A provides a much better gaming experience due to its significantly faster response times, but the ProArt Display PA278QV has much better ergonomics, a brighter screen, and wider viewing angles. It also has four USB 3.0 ports, which the VG249Q1A lacks.
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A and the LG 27GL650F-B are both 1080p gaming monitors. The ASUS delivers a better gaming experience because it has a slightly higher refresh rate of 165Hz and much faster response times. However, the LG's bigger screen makes it more ideal for productivity because it gives more space for multitasking. The LG also has wider viewing angles, better ergonomics, and gets a lot brighter to fight glare.
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A is a compact gaming monitor with thin bezels on three sides and a wide V-shaped stand, similar to the ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A.
The ASUS VG249Q1A's build quality is decent. The all-plastic construction is pretty generic and doesn't feel premium. The stand is very basic, but there isn't much wobble due to the compact screen size. The spacing between the bottom bezel and the screen isn't quite uniform, but that may be just on our unit, so your experience may vary.
The V-shaped stand doesn't take up too much desk space because the feet are relatively thin. It's made of generic plastic that doesn't feel particularly premium, but it supports the monitor well.
The ASUS VG249Q1A doesn't have a local dimming feature. The video above is for reference only.
The SDR peak brightness is decent. It's incredibly consistent when displaying different content and slightly brighter than the advertised 250 cd/m², but it's still not bright enough to overcome intense glare. It's best suited for a moderately lit room.
We measured the SDR peak brightness after calibration with Game Visual set to 'Racing Mode', and Brightness set to max.
The ASUS TUF VG249Q1A doesn't support HDR.
The ASUS VG249Q1A has good horizontal viewing angles; however, colors begin to fade relatively early when moving off-center, followed by a loss in brightness. It should be fine for sharing content casually or playing co-op games, but it might not be ideal for work that requires accurate color reproduction.
The vertical viewing angles are okay. There's gamma shifting and color washout when viewing from above or below.
The ASUS VG249Q1A's out-of-the-box accuracy is great. The slight inaccuracies with the white balance shouldn't be visible to most people, but some colors are noticeably off, especially yellows and greens. The color temperature is almost spot on our 6500k target. Gamma is not bad; however, dark scenes are over-darkened, while bright scenes are mostly too bright.
Accuracy is outstanding after calibration; however, we had trouble calibrating yellow without affecting everything else. It's noticeably off, and we're not sure what the cause is. That said, the inaccuracies with other colors and white balance aren't visible to the naked eye. The color temperature is a bit warmer than before calibration, but it shouldn't be noticeable. Gamma is significantly better, but very dark and very bright scenes appear a bit brighter than they should.
The ASUS VG249Q1A has an excellent SDR color gamut. It has near-full coverage of the commonly-used sRGB color space. Its Adobe RGB coverage is decent, but it might not be good enough for professional photo editors.
The ASUS TUF VG249Q1A doesn't support HDR.
The ASUS TUF VG249Q1A doesn't support HDR.
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A has great reflection handling. You shouldn't have any problems in most lighting conditions; however, it's still best to avoid very bright environments due to the screen's limited brightness.
The ASUS VG249Q1A's refresh rate can be overclocked up to 165Hz, but only over a DisplayPort connection. It's supposed to support FreeSync over DP and HDMI, but it seems to only work over DP at this time. When connected over HDMI, the Radeon Control Panel shows that the monitor doesn't support FreeSync, and there's a lot of tearing when running the pendulum demo. G-SYNC compatibility only works over DisplayPort. ASUS advertises 1080p @ 120Hz support for the PS5 and Xbox Series X; however, we don't test console compatibility.
Overdrive Setting | Response Time Chart | Response Time Tables | Motion Blur Photo |
0 | Chart | Table | Photo |
20 | Chart | Table | Photo |
40 | Chart | Table | Photo |
60 | Chart | Table | Photo |
80 | Chart | Table | Photo |
100 | Chart | Table | Photo |
The ASUS VG249Q1A has superb response times at its max refresh rate, resulting in clear motion with almost no blur trail behind fast-moving objects. The best Overdrive setting is '40' because it has the fastest total response time with very little overshoot. The '100' option manages to reach 1ms gray-to-gray response time, but its total response time is slower, and it has a significant amount of overshoot.
Overdrive Setting | Response Time Chart | Response Time Tables | Motion Blur Photo |
0 | Chart | Table | Photo |
20 | Chart | Table | Photo |
40 | Chart | Table | Photo |
60 | Chart | Table | Photo |
80 | Chart | Table | Photo |
100 | Chart | Table | Photo |
The ASUS VG249Q1A has exceptional response times at 60Hz. The image is noticeably blurrier than at max refresh rate, and there's slightly more ghosting due to a couple of slow transitions. The best Overdrive setting at 60Hz is '20' because it has the fastest total response time.
Refresh Rate | BFI Setting | Motion Blur Photo |
165Hz | Turbo | Photo |
Standard | Photo | |
120Hz | Turbo | Photo |
Standard | Photo | |
100Hz | Turbo | Photo |
Standard | Photo |
The ASUS VG249Q1A has an optional Black Frame Insertion feature to improve motion clarity, called ELMB in the settings menu. It's backlight strobing, to be more precise. It only works above 100Hz, and it isn't usable simultaneously with VRR. There are two ELMB settings, 'Standard' and 'Turbo'; we used the latter. Enabling ELMB causes slight motion duplication due to crosstalk.
The ASUS VG249Q1A has a remarkably low input lag, which results in a responsive desktop and gaming experience. We measured the BFI input lag in the 'Turbo' mode. The input lag in the 'Standard' mode is 6.7ms.
The ASUS VG249Q1A has a relatively small screen. While it's not the most immersive, some gamers might prefer the smaller size because it's easier to see the entire screen for better environmental awareness in games. The 1080p resolution is typical for a screen this size. It should be sharp enough for most people for gaming and media consumption, but it might not be if it's for work, especially content creation.
For the most part, this monitor works well with recent M1 MacBooks. Windows return to their original position when waking from sleep, but like most monitors, they don't return to their original positions if you just close the lid. The variable refresh rate feature works well at 144Hz, but not if you enable the optional overclock at 165Hz. The overclock works fine with variable refresh rate disabled.
The ASUS VG249Q1A has many features, including: