Pixio Pixio PX248 Wave White 24" Fast IPS FHD 1920 x Review

The Pixio PX248 Wave White is a 24-inch 1080p gaming monitor that offers a 200Hz refresh rate for around $160. It's a great pick for budget-focused gamers who prioritize smooth gameplay over fancy features, though the basic stand and average brightness are trade-offs. If you want high speed on a tight budget, it's a solid deal.

If you're hunting for a 24-inch, 1080p gaming monitor that doesn't break the bank, the Pixio PX248 Wave White is a strong contender. It's a 200Hz Fast IPS panel, which is a sweet spot for competitive gamers who want smooth motion without spending a fortune on a 240Hz or 360Hz screen. At around $160, it sits squarely in the budget-to-midrange bracket, offering a lot of speed for the money. The all-white design is a nice touch if you're building a themed setup, and it comes with built-in speakers, which is a rare find at this price.

The 200Hz refresh rate is the star here. In our testing, motion clarity is excellent for a monitor in this class, making fast-paced games like Valorant or Apex Legends feel significantly smoother than on a standard 60Hz or even 144Hz screen. The 1ms GTG response time helps, though keep in mind that's a best-case spec. In practice, you'll see some minor ghosting in the most extreme transitions, but it's nothing that'll throw off your game. The 300-nit brightness is decent for a dim room, but don't expect it to fight off a lot of glare from a sunny window. Color performance lands in the 83rd percentile versus other gaming monitors, with 112% sRGB coverage, so games and videos look vibrant and accurate enough for casual use.

At $160, the PX248 Wave White is a value play for high refresh rates. You're paying for that 200Hz IPS panel and little else. The stand is basic, the ports are sparse, and the speakers are an afterthought. But if your priority is smooth gameplay above all other features, this monitor delivers that core experience for less than many 144Hz options. Just know you're making trade-offs to hit that price.

The obvious competitor is the AOC 24G2, a perennial favorite in the 24-inch 144Hz IPS category. The AOC often has a better stand with height adjustment and slightly better color out of the box, but it typically costs $20-$30 more. If you can find the AOC on sale for a similar price, it's a tougher call. Then there's the ViewSonic XG2405, another 1080p 144Hz IPS monitor. It matches the Pixio's white aesthetic and often has similar pricing, but again, you're giving up 56Hz of refresh rate. For pure speed at this price, the Pixio wins. But if you value ergonomics or a slightly more polished overall package, the AOC or ViewSonic might be worth the slight premium.

Skip this monitor if you need a highly adjustable stand for ergonomics, work in a very bright environment (where higher brightness is key), or are looking for a sharp 1440p resolution. Also, content creators who need wide color gamut coverage should look at pricier options. For those users, consider stepping up to a monitor like the Dell S2721DGF (1440p, 165Hz) or an AOC with a better stand, even if it means a lower refresh rate.

So, should you buy the Pixio PX248 Wave White? If you're a competitive gamer on a tight budget and your only must-haves are a high refresh rate and an IPS panel, yes. It gets the fundamentals right where it counts: smooth motion and decent colors. But if you need a more adjustable stand, plan to use it in a bright room, or want a more feature-rich monitor, you should look at spending a bit more on an AOC 24G2 or similar. This Pixio is a specialist, not an all-rounder.