ViewSonic XG2431 24" Black 2026

The ViewSonic XG2431 is a 24-inch 1080p 240Hz monitor built for competitive gamers who want the best motion clarity available. Its PureXP strobe mode delivers CRT-like sharpness that beats even pricier OLEDs in motion handling. Colors and HDR are mediocre, and you'll need to tweak settings to get the most out of it. At around $240 to $300, it's a fantastic value for esports enthusiasts who don't care about resolution or cinematic visuals.

The 240Hz refresh rate and 0.5ms MPRT response time put this monitor's raw speed in the 89th percentile of our database, which is firmly in 'one of the best on the market' territory. In practice, this means buttery smooth motion with almost no perceptible blur. The Fast-IPS panel does a great job keeping up with the refresh rate without introducing the smearing you'd see on an older VA panel. Input lag feels nonexistent, and the combination of native G-SYNC compatibility with FreeSync Premium means you're covered whether you're running an NVIDIA or AMD GPU. Tearing and stuttering are basically non-issues.

The standout feature, and the reason this monitor has a cult following, is the PureXP strobe mode. At its best setting, it cuts motion blur down to levels that rival a CRT. The catch is that it drops brightness significantly and can introduce a bit of crosstalk if you don't tune it for your specific frame rate. You'll want to use the Blur Busters Strobe Utility to really dial it in. Once you do, the clarity during fast pans and flicks is genuinely stunning. Just don't expect to use it in a bright room, because the screen gets pretty dim. For competitive gaming in a controlled lighting environment, though, it's a game-changer.

Stacked against something like the ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQDMG, the ViewSonic takes a very different approach. The ASUS is a 27-inch 1440p OLED that delivers incredible contrast and HDR performance, but it costs significantly more and can't match the XG2431's strobed motion clarity. If you play a mix of competitive and immersive games, the ASUS is more versatile. But if you're purely chasing esports performance, the ViewSonic's smaller 24-inch screen and superior motion handling give it an edge. The BenQ MOBIUZ EX271U is another 27-inch 4K competitor that outclasses the ViewSonic in resolution and color, but again, it's aimed at a different audience entirely.

The MSI MPG 491CQP and Samsung Odyssey G6 are ultrawide and 27-inch options respectively that offer more screen real estate and immersion. They're better for sim racing or RPGs, but their larger screens can actually be a disadvantage in twitch shooters where you need to see the entire playfield at once. The LG UltraGear G8 27-inch dual mode monitor is an interesting alternative with its ability to switch between 4K 240Hz and 1080p 480Hz, but it commands a premium price. For pure 1080p competitive gaming on a budget, the XG2431 remains a standout that's hard to beat.

Pricing on the XG2431 is all over the map depending on where you look, with a spread of over $21,000 between vendors. That's clearly some algorithmic pricing gone haywire on the high end, so let's ignore the outliers. The realistic street price hovers around $240 to $300, which puts it in a sweet spot for a high-refresh esports monitor. At that price, you're getting motion clarity that competes with monitors costing twice as much, as long as you're willing to trade away resolution and HDR performance. For a dedicated competitive gaming display, the value proposition is strong.

Compared to newer 240Hz IPS options, the XG2431 holds its own on pure speed while undercutting many of them on price. The ergonomic stand and USB hub add practical value you don't always get at this price point. If you can snag one closer to the $240 end, it's a steal for the motion clarity alone. Just make sure you're buying from a reputable seller, because some of those inflated listings are absurd.

The ViewSonic XG2431 is one of those monitors that feels like it was built for a very specific person, and that person is a competitive gamer who values motion clarity above all else. This 24-inch 1080p panel isn't trying to wow you with 4K resolution or HDR fireworks. It's here to give you the smoothest, most responsive gameplay possible at 240Hz, and it largely succeeds. The real party trick is the backlight strobing, which ViewSonic calls PureXP. When tuned right, it delivers motion clarity that makes even fast OLEDs look a little soft in comparison. If you spend your nights in Valorant, CS2, or Apex Legends, this monitor is basically a cheat code for tracking moving targets.

But let's be real about what you're giving up. This is a 1080p IPS panel with a 72% NTSC color gamut and 350 nits of brightness. It's not going to make your single-player RPGs look lush and cinematic. The HDR400 certification is mostly a checkbox exercise, and you'll probably leave HDR off entirely. The build quality is solid and the stand offers full ergonomic adjustment, which is great for marathon sessions. Just know that this monitor is a specialist, not a generalist. It does one thing incredibly well and everything else at a 'good enough' level.

We see the XG2431 as a top-tier esports monitor that's aging gracefully. It's been a favorite among motion clarity nerds for a while now, and the social proof backs that up, landing in the 94th percentile in our database. People really love this thing once they dial in the settings. The challenge is that the out-of-the-box experience isn't perfect, and you'll need to spend some time tweaking to get the most out of it. If you're the type who enjoys that process, you're in for a treat.

If you're primarily a single-player gamer who values immersion and visual spectacle, this monitor isn't for you. The 1080p resolution, limited color gamut, and weak HDR performance mean games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Red Dead Redemption 2 won't look their best. You'd be much happier with a 27-inch 1440p IPS or OLED panel that can deliver richer colors and better contrast. Something like the LG UltraGear G8 or a solid 1440p 165Hz monitor would give you a far better experience in cinematic games.

Content creators and productivity users should also look elsewhere. The 72% NTSC coverage is fine for gaming but limiting for any color-sensitive work. And if you're used to a 27-inch or larger screen for spreadsheets, coding, or design work, the 24-inch 1080p real estate will feel restrictive. In those cases, an ultrawide or a 4K monitor with better color accuracy would be a smarter investment. This monitor is a specialist, and if your needs don't align with competitive esports, you're paying for features you won't fully use.

If you're a competitive FPS player who values motion clarity and responsiveness above all else, the ViewSonic XG2431 is one of the best choices you can make. The PureXP strobing, once properly configured, delivers CRT-like clarity that makes tracking enemies in fast-paced games noticeably easier. The 24-inch size is ideal for esports, keeping the entire screen in your field of view without excessive head movement. Pair it with a capable GPU that can push 240fps consistently, and you've got a setup that can hang with anything on the market.

For everyone else, this monitor is a harder sell. If you split your time between gaming and content creation, the limited color gamut will frustrate you. If you enjoy cinematic single-player games, the low brightness and mediocre HDR will leave you underwhelmed. And if you need a monitor for productivity work, the 1080p resolution on a 24-inch panel feels cramped for multitasking. In those cases, stepping up to a 27-inch 1440p high-refresh monitor would be a better all-around investment. But for the esports purist? This is still a top-tier pick.