MSI G255F 25" Metallic Black 2024

The MSI G255F is a 25-inch 1080p IPS gaming monitor with a genuine 180Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, spotted as low as $99. It's one of the best values in esports monitors right now, with 99% sRGB coverage and Adaptive Sync support. The stand is basic and the speakers are weak, but the core gaming experience is excellent. If you're on a budget and want maximum frame rate per dollar, this is the monitor to beat.

The headline number here is 180Hz, and it's not just marketing fluff. This is a genuine 180Hz panel, not a 144Hz panel overclocked to within an inch of its life. Combined with the 1ms GTG response time, motion clarity is excellent for a monitor in this class. Fast-moving targets in shooters stay sharp, and the Adaptive Sync support means you won't get screen tearing when your frame rate dips below the refresh rate. It works with both AMD FreeSync and, unofficially, most Nvidia cards through G-Sync Compatible mode.

The 300 nits brightness is about average for a budget IPS panel. It's fine for a dimly lit room or a typical office setup, but if you're sitting next to a big window, you might find yourself squinting during dark scenes. The 99% sRGB coverage means colors look accurate and vibrant for gaming, though the 78% DCI-P3 and 82% Adobe RGB numbers tell you this isn't a monitor for color-critical work. It's a gaming panel first, and the color performance reflects that. The 8-bit panel handles gradients well enough, but you won't be editing photos for print on this thing.

Stacked against the ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACDNG, the MSI G255F loses on resolution and panel size. The ASUS is a 27-inch 1440p panel with better color coverage and a more premium feature set. But it also costs several times more. If you're building a high-end rig with an RTX 4080 or better, the ASUS makes sense. If you're on a GTX 1660 Super or an RTX 3060, the G255F's 1080p resolution means you'll actually hit those high frame rates without upgrading your GPU.

The LG UltraGear 27G810A-B is another strong competitor, offering a larger 27-inch panel with similar refresh rates. But again, the price difference is significant. The Alienware AW2725D and HP OMEN 27qs G2 are both 1440p monitors aimed at a different buyer. The Dell S2725QC is a 4K productivity monitor that isn't even in the same conversation for gaming. The G255F's real competition is other budget 1080p high-refresh monitors, and in that space, it's one of the best options we've seen. The trade-off is clear: you give up resolution and screen size for a refresh rate and response time that punch way above the price point.

Here's where the G255F gets genuinely exciting. The price spread across vendors is wild, ranging from $183 to $1,300 for what appears to be the same monitor. That $1,300 listing is either a scalper, a typo, or someone hoping you won't notice. The real price is the $183 listing, and users report finding it for as low as $99. At that price, this monitor is an absolute steal. You're getting 180Hz, IPS, and Adaptive Sync for less than the cost of a decent mechanical keyboard.

Compared to the competition, the value proposition is hard to beat. The ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACDNG and LG UltraGear 27G810A-B are excellent monitors, but they cost significantly more and target a different segment with higher resolutions and larger panels. The G255F is for people who want maximum frame rate per dollar, and on that metric, it's one of the best deals we've seen. The CAD 190 listing in Canada is also reasonable, though the US pricing is where the real bargain is.

The MSI G255F is one of those products that makes you double-check the price tag. A 25-inch 1080p IPS panel pushing 180Hz with a 1ms response time, and it's been spotted around $99. That's the kind of spec sheet that used to cost triple this amount just a few years ago. MSI clearly decided to make a budget esports monitor that doesn't feel like a compromise on the core gaming experience, and for the most part, they pulled it off.

This monitor is aimed squarely at competitive gamers on a tight budget. If you're playing Valorant, CS2, Apex, or anything where frame rate matters more than pixel density, this is the sweet spot. 1080p at 25 inches keeps the image sharp enough while letting mid-range GPUs actually hit that 180Hz ceiling. The Rapid IPS panel means you get the speed of a TN panel with the viewing angles and color of IPS, which is a big deal at this price.

What makes it interesting is the mismatch between its spec sheet and its price. The color coverage is solid for gaming, with 99% sRGB and 78% DCI-P3, and the 300 nits brightness is fine for most indoor setups. But the real story is that MSI didn't cut corners on the things gamers actually notice. The stand is basic, the speakers are an afterthought, but the panel itself is the star of the show. And that's exactly how it should be at this price point.

If you're doing any kind of color-critical work, photo editing, or video production, look elsewhere. The 78% DCI-P3 and 82% Adobe RGB coverage are fine for gaming but won't cut it for professional work. You'd be better served by something like the Dell S2725QC or a dedicated color-accurate monitor. The 300 nits brightness is also a limitation if you work in a bright room or near windows.

If you want a larger screen for immersive single-player games or productivity, the 25-inch panel might feel cramped. The ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACDNG or LG UltraGear 27G810A-B offer more screen real estate and higher resolutions, though at a significantly higher price. And if you're running a high-end GPU like an RTX 4080 or RX 7900 XT, you're leaving performance on the table at 1080p. This monitor is best paired with mid-range hardware that can actually hit 180 frames at this resolution.

For competitive gamers on a budget, the MSI G255F is an easy recommendation. If you're playing fast-paced shooters and your GPU can push 180 frames at 1080p, this monitor delivers exactly what you need without any fluff. The 1ms response time and Adaptive Sync make a real difference in fast-paced gameplay, and the IPS panel means you're not sacrificing color quality for speed. At $99 to $183, it's one of the best values in gaming monitors right now.

For anyone doing color-critical work, photo editing, or wanting a larger screen for immersive single-player games, this isn't the monitor for you. The 78% DCI-P3 coverage and 25-inch panel size are limiting factors. But if you're building a budget esports setup or need a second monitor for your gaming rig, the G255F is a no-brainer. It's the rare budget product that doesn't feel like a compromise where it matters most.