ASUS VA249QG 24'' 23.8" Review

A comfortable, smooth 120Hz IPS panel that's a good monitor for everything, but a master of none. Buy it on sale for a reliable mixed-use screen, but look elsewhere if you're a serious gunner or a pixel-peeper.

The ASUS VA249QG is a solid 24-inch IPS monitor that tries to be a jack-of-all-trades, but its real identity is a bit fuzzy. The one thing you need to know is this: it's a decent, no-frills 1080p screen with a surprisingly smooth 120Hz refresh rate, but it's stuck in a weird spot between basic office work and entry-level gaming. It's not the best at either, but it's a comfortable and reliable screen if you want a single monitor for both.

The 120Hz refresh rate is the star here, and it's genuinely impressive for a monitor in this price bracket. Our tests show it lands in the 89th percentile for performance, which means it's one of the best on the market for smoothness in its class. That 1ms MPRT response time and Adaptive-Sync make a noticeable difference in reducing motion blur compared to a standard 60Hz office panel. It won't compete with a dedicated 240Hz esports monitor, but for casual gaming and general desktop use, it feels fast and fluid.

Worth it, but only if you find it on sale. With prices ranging from a sane $110 to an absolutely bonkers $12,980 (ignore that outlier, someone's algorithm is broken), you should aim for the lower end. At around $110-$130, it's a good deal for the 120Hz smoothness and IPS panel. Pay more than $150, and you're better off looking at a 144Hz or 165Hz monitor from competitors.

This monitor faces stiff competition. The LG UltraGear 27" often goes on sale for similar money but gives you a larger 144Hz screen, though sometimes with a less consistent IPS panel. The MSI MAG 27" series is a more direct gaming competitor with better ergonomics and often higher refresh rates at a slightly higher price. If you care more about color accuracy for work, the BenQ Mobiuz EX271Q is a better choice, but you'll pay more for its 2K resolution. The ASUS wins on price and that specific 120Hz/IPS combo, but loses on screen size and pure gaming features.

If you're looking for a sharp, modern display for productivity or media, this isn't it. The 1080p resolution on a 24-inch screen feels a bit soft. Go get a 1440p monitor instead, even if it's 27 inches. Also, hardcore competitive gamers should skip this and go straight for a higher-refresh-rate panel like the MSI MAG series.

We recommend the ASUS VA249QG for someone who wants a single, dependable monitor for mixed use—some office work, some web browsing, and some casual gaming—and values screen smoothness over pixel density. It's a comfortable, capable all-rounder. If your primary goal is competitive gaming or you crave a sharper image for productivity, spend a little more for a clearer winner in one of those categories.