MSI PRO MP242 E14A

The MSI Pro MP242 E14A is a budget 24-inch 1080p monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate and surprisingly good color coverage. It's not going to win any awards for brightness or resolution, but at under $135 it's a solid value. If you want smooth gaming on a tight budget, this is worth a look.

The 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms MPRT response time are the headline acts here, and they deliver for the price. Fast-paced games feel smooth, and Adaptive-Sync keeps tearing at bay whether you're on an AMD or NVIDIA card. The 4ms GtG response is more realistic than the 1ms marketing number, but it's still fine for a budget panel. Color performance is a pleasant surprise, with 121% sRGB and 91% DCI-P3 coverage putting it well above average for this class. Brightness tops out at 300 nits, which is fine for indoor use but won't make HDR content pop. The HDR label is mostly decorative here.

Stacked against the ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL5A or the Acer Nitro XV272U, the MSI gives up resolution and screen size. Those competitors offer 1440p panels and more gaming-focused features, but they also cost significantly more. The Dell S2725QC brings 4K and USB-C, but it's a different class of monitor entirely. The HP OMEN 27qs G2 and Alienware AW3225DM are in another league for gaming performance and price. For under $135, the MSI competes on value more than raw specs, and it holds its own in that arena.

At $94 to $135, this monitor is a solid deal if you know what you're getting. You're not paying for 4K, USB-C power delivery, or a fancy stand. You're paying for a fast, color-accurate 1080p panel that does the basics well. The connectivity score lands in the 85th percentile for this category, which is impressive at this price. If you need a cheap gaming monitor or a second screen for work, this is easy to recommend.

The MSI Pro MP242 E14A is a 24-inch 1080p IPS panel that tries to do a little bit of everything. You get a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms MPRT response, and surprisingly solid color coverage for a budget monitor. At $94 to $135 depending on where you shop, it's aimed at people who want smooth gaming without spending real money.

It's not going to blow anyone away, but it doesn't really need to. The spec sheet reads like a sensible compromise: fast enough for casual gaming, accurate enough for light creative work, and cheap enough that you won't feel bad about it in six months.

Skip this if you need 1440p or 4K resolution, since 1080p on a 24-inch panel feels cramped for detailed work. Also skip it if you need a height-adjustable stand out of the box, because the included one only tilts. And if you're a competitive esports player who demands the absolute fastest response times, look for a panel with a better GtG rating.

This is a monitor for budget-conscious gamers and anyone who wants a fast, color-accurate 1080p display without spending over $150. It's not for professionals who need 4K resolution or precise color calibration, and it's not for competitive gamers who demand the absolute lowest input lag. But for everyday use, light gaming, and general productivity, it's a genuinely good pick.