ASUS TUF Gaming ASUS TUF Gaming VG249QE5A 23.8" 146 Hz IPS Gaming Review

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG249QE5A is a 24-inch 1080p gaming monitor that overclocks to 146Hz. It offers excellent motion clarity for fast-paced games thanks to its IPS panel and ASUS's ELMB Sync technology, all at a very affordable price. It's a top pick for competitive gamers on a budget who want smooth performance without ghosting.

If you're hunting for a 24-inch gaming monitor that won't break the bank, the ASUS TUF Gaming VG249QE5A is a solid contender. It's a 1080p IPS panel that overclocks to 146Hz, which is a nice little bump over the standard 144Hz you see everywhere. For around $100 to $120, you're getting a fast, no-frills screen designed to keep up with competitive shooters and fast-paced games. It's not fancy, but it's built to do one job well: deliver smooth gameplay without ghosting or tearing.

We see a lot of people searching for 'best 24-inch 144Hz gaming monitor' or 'affordable IPS gaming monitor,' and this ASUS TUF model fits right into that sweet spot. It uses an IPS panel for better colors and viewing angles compared to cheaper TN screens, and it packs ASUS's ELMB Sync tech to try and clean up motion blur. It's a plug-and-play kind of monitor, with built-in speakers and a simple stand that just tilts.

This thing is fast. With a 146Hz refresh rate and a 1ms MPRT response time, it lands in the 92nd percentile for performance in our database. That means it's smoother than the vast majority of monitors out there. In practice, that high refresh rate makes everything feel more responsive, from dragging windows around to landing headshots in Valorant or Apex Legends. The 1ms figure is a Motion Picture Response Time measurement, which is a bit different from the Gray-to-Gray (GtG) spec some brands use, but it's still a good indicator of quick pixel transitions.

The ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync (ELMB Sync) is the star here. It lets you use variable refresh rate (Adaptive-Sync) and backlight strobing at the same time, which is supposed to eliminate ghosting and tearing for super sharp motion. It works, but it can make the screen a bit dimmer. For the price, the motion clarity is impressive and definitely gives you an edge in fast games.

At between $99 and $119, the VG249QE5A is punching above its weight. You're getting high-refresh IPS performance that used to cost a lot more. The closest alternatives at this price are often VA panels, which have better contrast but slower response times that can cause smearing, or older TN panels with worse colors. This ASUS model strikes a good balance, making it one of the better values for a dedicated 1080p gaming monitor.

Let's name some names. If you're looking at other 24-inch 144Hz-ish monitors, you might be considering something like the AOC 24G2 or the ViewSonic XG2405. Both are also IPS and similarly priced. The ASUS has a slight edge with its 146Hz overclock and the ELMB Sync feature, which those others lack. However, some competitors might offer a more adjustable stand. If you're willing to go up to 27 inches, you'll find more options, but you'll also be stretching that 1080p resolution, which can look a bit soft. For a pure, fast, 24-inch gaming screen, this ASUS TUF holds its own against the usual suspects.

Skip this monitor if you're a video editor, graphic designer, or anyone who needs precise, wide color gamut coverage. The 125% sRGB is fine for gaming but not pro work. Also, if you want a one-monitor-fits-all solution for productivity and media consumption, the 1080p resolution might feel limiting. For that, consider a 27-inch 1440p monitor. And if you absolutely need height adjustment, you'll need to budget for a VESA mount, as the included stand only tilts.

So, should you buy the ASUS TUF Gaming VG249QE5A? If you want a fast, affordable, 24-inch monitor primarily for gaming, yes. It's a straightforward tool that does its job very well. The motion handling is excellent for the price, and the IPS panel is a nice upgrade from budget TN screens.

But, if you need a monitor for color-accurate work, want a fully adjustable stand, or are hoping for a sharp 1440p image, you should look elsewhere. This is a gaming monitor first and last. For its intended purpose, it's a great little screen that gets the fundamentals right without any fuss.