The 5 Best 24-25 Inch Monitors - Winter 2023 Reviews

The best monitor we've tested available in 24 or 25 inches is the Dell Alienware AW2521H. It's a great gaming monitor that's ideal for competitive esports gamers because it has an incredibly high 360Hz refresh rate. It means you can use it for high-frame-rate gaming, and because it has a 1080p resolution, it isn't too demanding on your graphics card. Also, due to the smaller screen, the pixel density is okay, and the text clarity is decent, meaning that while you won't get sharp images like on higher-resolution displays, it's still good enough to provide detail while gaming.

Motion looks incredible on this monitor as it has an extremely fast response time that results in minimal motion blur, and it has a backlight strobing feature to reduce persistence blur, but like most monitors, it doesn't work at the same time as the variable refresh rate (VRR) support. Speaking of which, it has native G-SYNC support that lets you take full advantage of your NVIDIA graphics card, but sadly it doesn't support FreeSync at all, which is disappointing if you have an AMD graphics card.

If you want something that you can find for cheaper when it's on sale or if you have an AMD graphics card, then it's better to go for the Dell Alienware AW2523HF. It's a newer monitor compared to the Dell Alienware AW2521H, with the main difference being that it has native FreeSync VRR support instead. It means that its VRR support works with AMD graphics cards to reduce screen tearing, and because it's also G-SYNC compatible, you can also use it with NVIDIA graphics cards, but you lose out on a few features like its Reflex Latency Analyzer, so if you have an NVIDIA graphics card, stick with the AW2521H.

The AW2523HF provides the same impressive gaming performance as it has a fantastic response time with high-frame-rate signals, and it remains quick even with lower frame rate signals. However, it doesn't have a backlight strobing feature to reduce persistence blur like on the AW2521H, but it's unlikely that you'll need it as motion already looks smooth. It has low input lag for a responsive feel while gaming.

If you're looking for something cheaper or aren't a gamer, consider the Dell UltraSharp U2520D. It's a very good office monitor with a higher 1440p resolution than the Dell Alienware AW2523HF, meaning it delivers clearer text for office use. However, it doesn't offer any of the same gaming features. While it's difficult to use its 25-inch screen to open multiple windows next to each other, it's a great choice as a secondary display or if you have a multi-monitor setup.

Although it can be hard to find from certain retailers, you can also get it directly through Dell's website. It includes a few productivity features like a USB hub with three USB-A slots and two USB-C ports, one of which supports DisplayPort Alt Mode, which lets you display an image from a compatible device and charge it at the same time. It has wide viewing angles that make the image remain consistent from the sides, and, combined with its impressive ergonomics, it's a great choice to use if you need to share your screen with someone else.

If you're looking for a budget monitor, particularly if you're looking for the best 24-inch gaming monitor at a low cost, then consider the ViewSonic XG2431. It's slightly cheaper than the Dell UltraSharp U2520D, but it's a different type of monitor with a lower 1080p resolution, and it's more of a cheaper option compared to the Dell Alienware AW2523HF. Because it's a cheaper monitor, there are a few trade-offs you have to make, as it has a lower 240Hz refresh rate, but it still provides impressive gaming performance. It has an incredible response time, especially with high-frame-rate games, making motion look extremely smooth, and, combined with its low input lag, gaming feels responsive. It also has native FreeSync support with G-SYNC compatibility.

This monitor has a unique backlight strobing feature to reduce persistence blur that most monitors don't have. You can customize its pulse width and phase, letting you fine-tune the backlight strobing to something you prefer, but unfortunately, it doesn't work at the same time as the VRR support. Despite its budget price, it's still well-built and has impressive ergonomics, making it easy to adjust to your favorite position.

If you want the best 24-inch monitor that you can get for cheap, the HP X24ih is also a great choice for gaming that costs less than the ViewSonic XG2431. It has the same screen size and 1080p resolution, but the main difference is that it has a lower 144Hz refresh rate. While this isn't ideal for high-frame-rate gaming, it's good if you're just getting into PC gaming and have an entry-level graphics card. You still get great gaming performance thanks to its remarkable motion handling, FreeSync VRR support, G-SYNC compatibility, and low input lag for a responsive feel.

It's also versatile for other uses, like if you want to use it in a bright room as it gets bright enough to fight glare, and the reflection handling is also good. It offers okay ergonomics, as you can adjust the height and even rotate it into portrait mode if needed, but you can't swivel it. If that's important to you, check out the ASUS VG246H, which has remarkable ergonomics but isn't as versatile because it has a lower refresh rate and worse peak brightness.